Bloodline of the Wizard-Chapter 244 - 130 Choices, Secret_2

The few people present subtly nodded their heads to Ronan, while others merely glanced at him before turning away.

This wasn’t a gathering for wizards to exchange ideas; they were just "customers," and Lady Livi’s proactive introductions seemed somewhat peculiar.

Ronan casually found a chair to sit in.

There were a total of four wizards, including Ronan, there to undergo "talent transplantation," one of whom was a second-level wizard, while the remaining three, like him, were in the late Level 1 stage.

Lady Livi was the most powerful among all the people present.

"Since all the guests are here, I’ll first take Mr. Yuki Ke inside... The rest of you can rest for a while, the wait won’t be long."

Lady Livi smiled as she addressed everyone and clapped her hands, signaling servants from both sides of the castle to bring snacks and tea to the wizards.

The one named by Lady Livi, You Jike, was the second-level wizard among the guests.

He was a lean man with a piercing gaze and sparse hair. He quickly stood up and followed Lady Livi towards the back of the castle’s grand hall.

Ronan sat in his seat, trying to pass the time, while the other wizards around him seemed uninterested in engaging with others. Everyone sat quietly.

The snacks and tea provided by the castle servants were all cold, and Ronan wasn’t even interested in trying them.

He began to observe the interior of the castle.

They were currently in the center of the grand hall, with spiral staircases on either side leading to the second floor.

Ronan’s gaze followed the stairs to the second floor, where the dim corridor was lined with portraits.

All of them were of women.

They exuded a graceful and noble aura, bearing a slight resemblance to Lady Livi.

Some portraits even moved, as if rubbing their cheeks, blinking, or yawning.

In such a quiet setting, the experience was rather eerie and unsettling.

Ronan, however, was not surprised.

He had heard of this unique portrait technique, part of a wizard’s alchemical methods, capable of preserving a portion of the subject’s essence, making the portraits exceptionally lifelike.

Some extreme cases involved a person’s entire soul residing within the portrait after death, lasting up to a thousand years.

"A family where only women are eligible to inherit, what is the role of the men in the family? Just to provide offspring?"

Ronan suddenly began to understand why Lady Livi’s actions seemed somewhat "free-spirited."

Perhaps the Cold Stone Manor family continued its lineage by obtaining powerful wizard seeds through various means to nurture their descendants.

Now, with talent dwindling in the family, there was even less reason for restraint....

Ronan idly speculated while passing the time.

The ancient clock in the castle ticked away, and after an unknown length of time, two figures returned to the hall.

It was none other than Lady Livi and the second-level wizard Yuki Ke who had left earlier.

Previously, Yuki Ke had only been at the early stage of Level 2, but now he was emanating spiritual power waves indicative of an intermediate Level 2 stage, although they seemed unstable, suggesting some method had forcibly enhanced him.

Yet, Yuki Ke appeared quite pleased, his stern face unable to hide his excitement.

Ronan was taken aback by the drastic change in Yuki Ke’s demeanor; previously arrogant, he now demonstrated a deep-seated respect for Lady Livi, almost bordering on sycophancy.

Additionally, his appearance had undergone subtle transformations—once sparse hair was now thick and coarse, his lean physique appeared stronger, emitting a slight heat, a sign of vigorous vitality and enhanced physique.

Ronan, adept in the Body Forging Method, was acutely sensitive to such physical changes.

"Does talent transplantation affect one’s physique?"

Ronan furrowed his brow, a deep sense of doubt surfacing in his mind, though his expression remained unchanged.

The return of the two compelled the waiting wizards to sit up straight.

"As per the agreement, Mr. Yuki Ke, you need to stay in the manor for two months..."

"Understood."

Having just completed the ritual and achieved certain enhancements, Yuki Ke respectfully nodded to Lady Livi before leaving the hall, guided by some castle servants, heading to another part of the castle.

"Well then... who shall be next?"

After seeing off Yuki Ke, Lady Livi, with her habitual smile, glanced at the remaining people in the hall.

A wizard with slightly dark skin stood up voluntarily and followed Lady Livi out.

In the following period, Lady Livi returned every one or two hours or so.

Some of the wizards returned with her, while others did not.

Lady Livi explained that those who did not return had left directly after completing the "talent transplantation."

This did not raise any suspicion since the wizards present were not friends and had no reason to see each other again.

Finally.

It was Ronan’s turn.

....

Ronan walked down the softly lit corridor behind Lady Livi, still contemplating the situation with Yuki Ke.

He had a feeling that Cold Stone Manor harbored some secrets.

These secrets might be the reason for the frequent monster sightings, occasional disappearances, and even the occasional official wizard who went missing near Cold Stone Manor.

But to say there was potential danger...

Ronan found it unlikely.

With so many ice wizards coming every year for "talent transplantation," if Cold Stone Manor was occasionally a people-eating lair, it would have been exposed and overrun long ago.

Most wizards capable of "talent transplantation" did not come from humble backgrounds; they were not the kind to be easily manipulated.

White Stone Castle was a gathering place for Grey Robes, not a Black Witch Land.

Ronan believed the secret within Cold Stone Manor was an unspoken understanding, silently acknowledged by those in the know.

Such circumstances often implied undisclosed benefits.

"Lord Linus appears nobly born, are you from a powerful Wizard Land?"

Lady Livi unexpectedly engaged Ronan in conversation as she led the way.

Ronan replied evenly, shaking his head, "Not particularly powerful... and I spend most of my time traveling alone."

Lady Livi stopped in her tracks and glanced back at him, smiling but saying nothing, before gently opening a side door and saying to him, "We’ve arrived."

The room was softly lit, sparsely furnished, with only a finely crafted golden table and chairs set.

Once seated at the table, Lady Livi pushed a few Rune Stones towards Ronan; her hands adorned with beautiful gemstone rings, accentuating her silky, smooth skin.

Ronan picked up the Rune Stones, reviewing each one. The content was similar to what he had read on the carriage, but in more detail.

"I’ll go with the Second-tier Cold Scaled Python."

After some thought, Ronan made his decision.

The Cold Scaled Python was a First Rank Demon Beast that rarely progressed to Second-tier.

But once it advanced, it signified a bloodline evolution, boasting capabilities and potential surpassing those of its peers.

The "talent transplantation" would enhance the affinity for ice energy as well.

Moreover, the Cold Scaled Python’s talent ability was the instant Second-tier [Icy Rain Armor], a defensive Second-tier spell, an advanced version of the First-tier [Cold Ice Armor]. It acted as the magic anchor for the [Frozen Soil] domain and was highly practical.

Ronan had ample offensive techniques, but his defensive methods were not as diverse, making the Cold Scaled Python talent transplantation the optimal choice for him.

Lady Livi’s eyes flickered momentarily, and she softly replied, "I only had one Cold Scaled Python bloodline, which was just used for the wizard before you... Lord Linus might consider another option."

What a coincidence?!

Ronan maintained a neutral expression, though an inexplicable emotion slowly surged within him.

Yet he remained silent, opting immediately for his second choice.

Logically, the next steps should involve negotiation and preparation.

However, Lady Livi gently pushed aside the Rune Stones on the table, her eyes meeting Ronan’s like emeralds, and said softly, "In fact, I have a few better options here; would you like to hear them before deciding?"

Ronan’s eyes narrowed slightly, a faint gleam flashing within them. He wasn’t surprised by Lady Livi’s sudden proposal, instead feeling a sense of—"It’s finally here," emerging.

He calmly nodded, addressing Lady Livi in front of him, "You might as well tell me."