Ron directly inquired.
"Of course, I want to."
Cassius was unabashed about his thoughts:
"But as the family patriarch, I cannot leave at will.
Especially in this current situation of talent shortage, if I also leave, the whole family operation will encounter problems."
He shook his head with a bitter smile:
"Sometimes I really envy those lone wizards without family burdens, able to freely pursue their own goals."
This honest confession undoubtedly made the distance between the two shrink noticeably.
Ron could understand Cassius’s predicament:
As the family leader, he must balance personal development and family responsibilities.
"So, you hope to gain more resources through collaboration with me?"
"Partially so." Cassius nodded in acknowledgment:
"But more importantly, I hope to establish a long-term cooperative relationship with budding stars like you.
In this rapidly changing environment, traditional development models are no longer applicable; we need to look for new opportunities."
The aircraft flew steadily over the Central Lands.
Through the window, Ron could see the dense buildings and the continuous flow of people below.
This core city of Wizard Civilization is undergoing unprecedented changes.
The implementation of conquest policies not only alters the distribution model of resources but also reshapes the entire social power structure.
Those individuals and organizations that can adapt to change will gain unprecedented development opportunities.
While those stuck in tradition might face the risk of being marginalized.
......
About twenty minutes later, the aircraft began to descend slowly.
The destination was a high-end residential area in the North District of Dawn Harbor.
Here, the architectural style was relatively modern, mostly three to four-story standalone buildings, surrounded by meticulously designed gardens.
"That’s the one."
Cassius pointed to a three-story building not far away:
"The location is relatively quiet, with few neighbors around, ideal for academic research."
The building’s appearance was elegant and understated, with exterior walls made of pale blue "Silence Stone."
This material can effectively isolate external noise and magic interference.
The aircraft landed steadily on the open space in front of the building.
Cassius took out a delicate rune key and handed it to Ron:
"This is the house key, which can control all protective arrays and internal facilities."
"Regarding subsequent cooperation matters, we can discuss in detail once you’ve handled affairs at the Crystal Tower."
Then he took the initiative to say farewell:
"I know your time is precious, so I won’t bother you further."
After watching the aircraft depart, he turned to Ailan and Dale:
"Let’s go in and check the internal situation first."
The three walked towards the front door of the building.
Ron inserted the Magic Key into the door lock, and with a slight wave of magic power, the heavy oak door slowly opened.
The interior decoration style of the house was simple and practical, not excessively luxurious, but every detail showed meticulous design.
After instructing Ailan and Dale to clean and move his research devices, Ron immersed himself in his Library of Consciousness.
Turning to the page recording progress in the Three-phase Mage techniques:
[Advanced Magic Potion Making (Mastery 238/300)]
[Alchemy (Mastery 96/300)]
[Enchantment Technique (Proficient 34/100)]
All three core skills were steadily improving, and as he accumulated practical experience in various fields, the progress speed was also constantly accelerating.
"According to the current progress, the conditions for the transfer to Magic Potion Professor should be met first."
He analyzed internally:
"With the Spirit Dew materials gathered, attempts at configuration can be considered, and with the foundation of an Elite Team in student development, the transfer could happen in one or two more years at most."
......
In the guest room area of the Abyssal Observation Station, the night was thick, like coagulated blood.
Chloe sat alone at the center of the room, at a round table carved from Obsidian, surrounded by seven specially designed "Soul Lamps."
These lamps were not ordinary candles but creations meticulously modulated from nightmare fat and time pollen.
Each Soul Lamp subtly pulsed, its surface covered with dense vein patterns, like skinned fingers.
When they burned, the air filled with a bizarre sweet aroma.
It was the taste of the unknown mixed with inspiration.
Before her lay the Astrology Association’s sacred relic passed down through generations—the "Weaver of Destiny."
This ancient device looked like the hollowed-out abdomen of some giant insect crafted into a tool.
Countless hair-like silver threads intertwined within.
But upon closer inspection, you would find that those "threads" were actually extracted neural fibers from unknown organisms.
Each one subtly pulsated, conveying information from the depths of the river of time.
"Let me see... my destiny... where does it ultimately lead..."
Chloe began to move her long, pale fingers over the Weaver of Destiny, like a blind musician playing a forbidden symphony.
When her fingertips touched the first neural thread, her consciousness was instantly dragged into a distorted symbolic world:
In her spiritual vision appeared a gigantic black vortex, its edges lined with countless hungry mouths.
These mouths belonged to different creatures—humans, beasts, abyssal monsters, and even some she could not comprehend.
They silently chewed on something, and the item being chewed... was her own shadow.
The implication of this image was clear:
Her prophetic talent would undergo pathological growth for certain reasons, continually devouring her sanity and humanity until she fully became a slave to power.