Ron saw an ancient mirror, but the "surface" of this mirror was a constantly flowing black liquid.
Occasionally, some distorted faces would float up in the liquid, all showing expressions of fear and despair from their last moments alive.
In the mirror, the blurred figure of the "Thousand Transformations" appeared. This special tool that had accompanied him for years was now undergoing a painful decomposition.
Countless fragments of light and shadow were peeling off its "body," each containing memory fragments of its former owners.
Within these memory fragments, Ron vaguely saw the technique he had been searching for—the contamination isolation technique.
But to acquire this technique, he had to delve into the core of the former owner’s most painful memories, enduring those agonies that didn’t belong to him.
The images in the prophecies were sometimes clear and sometimes blurry, but one thing was certain:
This would be an extremely dangerous psychological exploration.
If he was slightly careless, his consciousness might be devoured by those painful memories, forever lost in someone else’s nightmare.
"The former owner of the ’Thousand Transformations’... from the occasionally appearing memory fragments, it should have been an Ancient Mage who lived through the Abyss’ great upheaval period."
Ron recalled his observations of this tool.
"A necessary risk." He made a decision in his heart:
"Upon mastering the contamination isolation technique, my research scope will greatly expand. Those dangerous materials I currently dare not touch will all become usable resources."
Moreover, this technique might also provide extra contamination resistance to Ailan and Dale, allowing them to assist him more safely.
After completing all three prophecies, Ron slowly awoke from deep meditation.
The Star Disc on the Divination Platform returned to calm, those mysterious runes stopped moving as if they had never moved at all.
The entire divination process lasted nearly two hours, leaving Ron deeply spiritually exhausted.
But this exhaustion was soon replaced by excitement and satisfaction.
Through this divination, he obtained three clear paths of development, each leading to greater power.
"What’s interesting is..." he wiped the sweat from his forehead, a profound realization surged in his mind:
"The contents revealed by these prophecies are all built on my existing knowledge base."
The divination did not provide him with entirely new information but reorganized the various clues he already knew into a clearer path of development.
Information about the Quicksand Lands came from festive celebrations and Franka’s introduction;
The possibility of bloodline fusion was based on his understanding of Abyssal Creatures and conserving lineage bloodlines;
And the contamination isolation technique was hidden deep within the memories of the Thousand Transformations.
"The true value of divination lies in helping to organize thoughts and determine priorities."
Ron contemplated as he gazed at the extinguished Star Disc:
"It doesn’t predict the future but reveals the possible outcomes of current choices."
This realization gave him a deeper understanding of Astrology.
Destiny is never predetermined; it’s the accumulation of countless choices.
Divination is merely a tool to help decision-makers see the pros and cons of various possibilities.
He began formulating a detailed action plan in his mind:
Firstly, acquiring the contamination isolation technique, which is the foundation for all subsequent plans.
Though the process is dangerous, compared to the other two goals, this risk is most controllable;
Then, the exploration of the Abyss, simultaneously collecting Newborn Beast tears and acquiring bloodline materials.
He needs to discuss a specific exploration plan with Uther;
Finally, conducting bloodline evolution in the Quicksand Lands, choosing the most suitable timing and environment while ensuring sufficient safety measures.
"Through the Spiritual Link of the Stand-In Puppet, I can simultaneously upgrade and modify the puppet."
He perfected the plan’s details in his mind:
"Integrate the Magic Power Amplification Crystal, add Soul Steel Material, and ultimately transform into the Magic Sword form."
That will be a true masterpiece, a perfect creation that combines Alchemy, Enchantment, Bloodline Modulation, and other skills.
It will also become an important cornerstone for him to reach a higher level.
After tidying up the divination tools, Ron did not immediately rest.
The tranquility of the midnight and the newly gained insights made his mind more active than ever.
"Time to proceed to the next step." He took out those long-prepared Alchemy Materials from the storage compartment:
"The creation of the Magic Power Amplification Crystal cannot be delayed any longer."
Dale and Ailan exchanged a glance, both seeing resignation in each other’s eyes.
They had already grown accustomed to their master’s workaholic lifestyle, yet still felt worried about his physical condition.
"Master..." Ailan tried to persuade:
"You’ve been working for over ten hours straight, perhaps you should take a break?"
"Time waits for no one." Ron replied without looking up, already checking those dangerous Abyssal Materials:
"Every moment of stagnation is a waste of life, and the current state is also suitable for precise alchemy work."
The observatory was exceptionally quiet at night, only the slight wriggling sound of the living tissue forming the building’s main structure could be heard in the dark.
Occasionally, a few mysterious whimpers echoed from deep within the corridor.