Ron did not answer immediately but turned his gaze to the dark alchemy furnace surrounded by multiple rune isolation barriers in the depths of the room.
It was an artifact with an ancient appearance, its whole body exhibiting a bronze hue, and its surface covered with dense rune arrays.
This alchemy furnace was not his own possession but a rare item temporarily borrowed from the Crown Clan’s treasury through Eve’s connections — the "Silent Furnace."
This furnace had an almost perfect energy isolation effect; no matter how intense the energy conversion inside, it was hard for the outside world to detect any fluctuations.
Through the "Two-way Communication" ability established with the Stand-In Puppet, he had quietly been undergoing the "Sun Activation" body-tempering training during this time, gradually adapting to the infusion and conversion of Sun Energy.
After months of relentless effort, this adaptation had reached a critical point, and was synchronized to his body through the "Two-way Communication".
The time was ripe. It was time to conduct the metamorphosis ceremony he had long been planning.
"Ailan, I plan to perform a special ritual tonight."
Ron’s tone became solemn as he gently caressed the spatial bag at his side.
Inside it was the "Ancestral Puppet" obtained from the Faruk Royal Treasure Vault, a precious alchemy item containing pure Sun Essence:
"This ritual might also be of some benefit to you."
Ailan’s emerald eyes flashed with curiosity: "The ritual... could be helpful for me as well?"
"I possess a fragmented Special Talent — the Sun’s Protection."
Ron explained slowly, his gaze deep:
"Tonight, I intend to attempt to complete it. As a being evolved to the level of an extraordinary plant life ancient tree fairy, you have a natural affinity for light and heat. If you’re willing, you might gain some extra benefits during the ritual."
Ailan gently swayed her vines, her emerald eyes shimmering with thought:
"You mean, exposing me to Sun Energy during the ritual as well?"
"That’s correct." Ron nodded, taking out a bottle of pale golden potion from the spatial bag:
"Of course, this is not without risk. However, I have prepared a Resistance Potion, which should theoretically help you resist most of the discomfort reactions."
He briefly informed Ailan of the materials he had researched and the consultation results with Eliot, Reynolds, and others, ensuring that she fully understood the potential risks and rewards.
"If coordinated well, you might be able to enhance your resistances to light and heat, or even develop some sort of Photosynthetic Transformation Ability."
Ron concluded: "Of course, the final decision rests with you."
Ailan did not hesitate long before making her decision:
"I am willing to try, master. Regardless of the outcome, being able to experience this ceremony with you is already an honor."
Ron nodded slightly.
This perfectly aligned with his style of maximizing benefits.
Since the ritual was to be conducted, why not also allow his companions to benefit from it?
"Very well, I will begin the preparation now."
He took out the "Ancestral Puppet" from the spatial bag.
It was a palm-sized humanoid figure, with a warm golden yellow hue throughout.
Ron carefully placed the puppet into the central groove of the alchemy furnace.
After infusing magic power, the Silent Furnace slowly activated, emitting a low and rhythmic humming sound.
Wisps of steam rose from the furnace mouth, twisting and dancing in the air, as if it had life, attempting to create some indescribable shape.
As he applied his "Material Refining" skills, the Silent Furnace began to glow, initially with a dim orange, gradually brightening from orange-yellow to golden yellow, and finally to an almost blinding platinum color.
The Ancestral Puppet inside also began to tremble slightly, its surface covered with countless tiny cracks, continuously shivering like a boiling lake.
"First stage, awakening the dormant Sun Essence..."
His Spiritual Power was in full operation, guiding the energy within the alchemy furnace to flow along specific paths.
Suddenly, a crisp shattering sound occurred, and the Ancestral Puppet completely disintegrated in the intense energy, turning into countless tiny golden particles, floating and swirling within the furnace to form a miniature vortex.
Those golden particles began to unleash suffocatingly pure energy, like a miniature sun burning inside the furnace.
Ron could feel the ferocity and purity of that energy, as if directly facing the flames of the sun, an incredible heat and oppressive force confronting him.
"Second stage, extracting the Sun Essence..."
Beads of sweat formed on his forehead; despite already advancing to an Official Wizard, the pure energy stream exerted a substantial pressure.
The surrounding air warped due to the high temperature, and he focused intently on guiding the energy along specific pathways.
Golden liquid overflowed from the furnace, flowing along the patterns drawn, eventually gathering in front of Ron to form a spinning golden Energy Ball.
"This is the core of the Sun Essence..."
Ron gazed at the energy body condensed with the divine power of the sun, his eyes flickering with contemplation:
"The third stage is to complete the fragmented talent through the ritual."
In the following time, he began busying himself with setting up various protective measures and ritual formations.
Firstly, placing Energy Anchoring Stones in the corners of the room to prevent sudden energy storms;
Then drawing a triple concentric circle array on the floor.
The outermost layer was an energy isolation layer composed of runes, effectively blocking any energy leakage;
The middle layer was a complex balance array to harmonize any energy imbalances that might occur during the ritual;