Chapter 214: At the Convergence of the Stellar Ring

Chapter 214: At the Convergence of the Stellar Ring

"Alright, you don’t need to be so cautious with your words anymore", Madame Ellen said, lifting her teacup in a delicate sip.

"I’m simply fulfilling my role as a guide. But the path ahead must be walked by you alone."

Her gaze turned distant, as if peering toward a horizon visible only to her.

"Every true mage must find their own way. Whether through traditional methods or the True Path, the ultimate goal remains the same—transcending the mundane to touch true knowledge."

"I believe your talent and perseverance will lead you to carve out your own path."

Luo En remained silent for a moment before raising his head.

"Then, regarding celestial alignments and timing—any specific precautions I should know?"

"Indeed." Madame Ellen nodded, her expression turning solemn.

"A Meditation technique breakthrough isn’t something you can force. Especially with the True Path, the timing must align with specific stellar configurations."

She swept her hand through the air, conjuring a star map composed of countless glowing points, slowly rotating.

"According to the astrological calendar, there are three 'stellar ring convergences' each year—roughly every four months—marking peak Mana Wave periods. During these times, mana concentration reaches its zenith, and the pathways to higher existences open slightly."

Several specific stars suddenly blazed brighter, forming an unusual ring-like pattern.

"The last convergence was over half a month ago. The next will be in three months—precisely ninety-seven days from now, at midnight.

"At that moment, the 'Hermit Star' and 'Annihilation Star Cluster' will align in a unique formation—the ideal moment to attempt the True Path."

Luo En mentally calculated the timeline as he listened, his eyes flickering with calculations.

Three months. At his current cultivation speed, boosted by The Murmuring of the Star Devourer and the Timekeeper Pocket Watch purging meditation pollution, time should suffice.

If all went well, he could complete the "Demon Hunter" class advancement beforehand, gaining crucial spirit attribute enhancements.

That boost might seem minor, but for pushing past the 4.9 threshold, it would be indispensable.

Currently at just over 4.5, the gap to the critical point remained significant.

Meditation technique advancements grew slower with each stage. The Demon Hunter class’s attribute bonus offered the most reliable means of progress.

"Time should be sufficient", he mused, nodding slightly—his expression calm, though his mind raced through future plans.

The pink-haired witch studied him with a meaningful gaze, her emerald green eyes flickering with understanding.

"I don’t know what methods you rely on, but any shortcuts have limits—and costs. I hope you understand what you’re doing."

"One more warning", she added, voice suddenly sharp as ice scraping glass.

"Once you enter the ascension Environment of the True Path, every challenge you face will be real."

"What do you mean?" Luo En frowned.

"Exactly as it sounds." Madame Ellen’s gaze pierced like a blade. "Death within that spirit realm means true death. This isn’t a simple spirit test or a meditative illusion—it’s a genuine confrontation with higher existences."

Her voice, though quiet, struck like hammers.

"Countless prodigies have underestimated this and become trapped at the threshold of ascension. Higher existences show no mercy. They’ll consume your remains as mana, leaving not even your soul intact."

Luo En didn’t respond immediately, his expression as still as water.

Madame Ellen’s warning wasn’t hyperbole.

The True Path’s danger lay precisely in its unforgiving cost—failure meant complete annihilation.

"I’ll exercise extreme caution", he finally said, conviction tempered with caution. "If things go awry, I’ll abort immediately."

Madame Ellen shook her head—a hint of dissatisfaction in her eyes, though she said no more.

She knew such decisions could only be Luo En’s to make.

Soft footsteps approached outside. Liliya knocked gently.

"Madam, I’ve finished pruning the night-blooming herbs in the back… May I come in?"

The girl’s voice carried tentative nervousness, fearing she’d intrude.

Madame Ellen glanced at Luo En, who nodded slightly.

"Enter, child. Our discussion is finished."

Liliya stepped in, glancing between the two, hands twisting anxiously.

Her gaze lingered on Madame Ellen, still uneasy about the young, beautiful face that had replaced the stern mentor.

Madame Ellen’s eyes flickered with something subtle. "Actually, one more question."

She turned to Luo En. "What about this child’s future? Have you considered it?"

The unexpected question made Luo En hesitate. He’d pondered it, but hadn’t expected direct confrontation.

"I’ll be heading to the Crystal Spire", he admitted plainly. "Given Liliya’s current abilities, she’d struggle with that environment’s pace."

Liliya’s face paled momentarily, quickly masking her expression—a silent, composed figure.

The subtle reaction didn’t escape either observer.

"So you’d hand me a student you’ve already nurtured?" Madame Ellen raised an eyebrow, tone teasing. "Convenient for me—reaping the rewards without effort."

Confusion flickered in Liliya’s eyes as she glanced between them, uncertain why the conversation shifted to her.

"I know it’s sudden." Luo En’s voice softened. "But I believe you can guide her better than I could."

Madame Ellen hummed, studying Liliya—her emerald green eyes showing rare warmth.

"Truthfully, I rather like this girl. She remembers my tea preferences, my quirks, and knows when to stay silent during my bad moods."

She tucked a stray hair behind Liliya’s ear—a gesture of unexpected tenderness.

"Compared to those flashy prodigies who only talk, her steady nature is more reassuring."

Liliya’s head snapped up, disbelief shining in her eyes.

Never had she expected such praise from her once-stern mentor.

If earlier abandonment had left her hollow, these words now planted fragile hope.

"Would you object to Liliya staying here?" Luo En asked, tone as flat as discussing workshop details.

"Object?" Madame Ellen chuckled. "A diligent apprentice managing my Herbal Medicine Shop? I’d be delighted. Especially with her Special Innate Talent—future asset potential is immense."

Her gaze flicked to Luo En. "You know 'Boon' effectiveness depends on purity and longevity. Her talent may seem ordinary, but its stability outshines flashier, unstable gifts over time."

Watching their interaction, Luo En felt a weight lift.

Liliya’s future had been a pressing concern—this seemed her best path.

Though he appreciated her diligence, he understood rationally—his upcoming journey brimmed with peril.

Her limitations made following him a risk.

Better to leave her under Madame Ellen’s steadier tutelage.

"Time’s late", he stood, expressionless. "Madam, thank you for your guidance."

She nodded. "Remember—caution over haste."

They departed the Herbal Medicine Shop.

The sky darkened, heavy clouds promising rain.

The street lay nearly deserted, the air oppressively still.

Walking home, Luo En sensed Liliya’s silence behind him.

Half a step back, eyes downcast—lost in thought.

An awkward quiet hung between them, unspoken words suspended in the air.

"Liliya", he finally broke the silence. "We need to talk."

She stopped, waiting patiently.

He turned, wanting to explain his decision, yet words failed him—uncharacteristic hesitation furrowing his brow.

Unexpectedly, she spoke first. "Master, no explanation needed."

Her voice, soft yet surprisingly steady—unlike her usual cautious tone.

"I suspected you’d leave me with Madame Ellen. I understand why."

He blinked. "You anticipated this?"

She nodded, a faint, strained smile forming. "Given your pace, I’d only be a burden. Your growth would always outstrip me."

She lifted her gaze, determination replacing expected sadness. "I’ve known this day would come—since entering the Workshop, watching you wield spells I could never hope to match."

Luo En studied the tall girl before him, a rare complexity stirring within.

His carefully prepared justifications now felt unnecessary—she’d seen through everything.

This quiet understanding brought unexpected guilt, quickly suppressed.

“I don’t want you to feel guilty or troubled because of me,” Liliya continued, her voice growing firmer.

“Staying with Madame Ellen is likely the best choice for me. She’s an extraordinary potion master, and… perhaps not as cold or cruel as she appears.”

Her words revealed a surprising maturity, but Luo En noticed the faint moisture glistening at her eyelids and the way she clenched her fists.

At that moment, the dark clouds above seemed unable to hold their weight any longer, and fine rain began to fall.

Luo En retrieved two raincoats from his Storage Bag and handed one to Liliya.

“Put this on. The rain’s going to get heavier.”

Liliya accepted the garment, slipping it on with practiced ease.

How many days like this had passed with her quietly by his side?

She rarely stood out, yet she always filled the gaps, subtle and indispensable as a wisp of shadow blending into the background.

“Do you remember the weather when we first met at the Workshop?” she suddenly asked, her voice nearly swallowed by the pattering rain.

Luo En paused, then replied, “Sunny skies, not a cloud in sight.”

“Yes, a perfectly clear day,” Liliya echoed softly, gazing at the gray sky. “That day was bright and warm. I stepped into the Workshop for the first time, full of hope and nervousness. But whenever I return to the Herbal Medicine Shop, it always seems to be raining—just like now.”

Luo En had no words to offer, so he simply walked beside her in silence.

The rain thickened, drumming against their raincoats with a dull rhythm, as if echoing some unspoken emotion.

“I want to tell you,” her voice wavered slightly in the downpour, “I won’t give up.”

She stopped abruptly, turning to face him directly.

Rainwater trickled from the edges of her raincoat, pooling at her feet.

“I know I’m weak—that I’ve been a burden. But I’ll work harder, until the day I can finally walk beside you.”

In that moment, Luo En saw an unyielding resolve in her eyes, a determination bordering on obsession.

No longer the timid girl who always kept her head bowed, she had become someone who had found her own path.

This transformation was startling, like an ember that had smoldered in secrecy for too long, now bursting into flame.

“Let’s hurry back,” he finally said. “The rain’s getting worse.”

Liliya nodded and fell into step behind him.

Rain formed a blurred curtain around them, blurring the lines between past and future, certainty and doubt.

…

Back at the Workshop, Luo En didn’t pause to rest.

Instead, he went straight to the training ground, launching into intense spell practice.

Time was against him. He had to complete all preparations before the “Stellar Ring Convergence.”

Mastering spells was crucial to becoming a Full Mage, especially on his chosen True Path, which required at least three spells to reach mastery level.

Currently, both his “Sound Wave Oscillation” and “Radiant Halo” were nearing breakthrough, needing only a few more experience points.

“I must overcome this final hurdle,” Luo En murmured, his brows furrowed, eyes sharp with calm determination.

Standing at the center of the training ground, he inhaled deeply and began constructing the spell matrix for “Sound Wave Oscillation.”

Spiritual energy flowed through his consciousness space like mercury, weaving an intricate mana structure.

Though the spell appeared effortless in practice—a mere flick of the wrist to release rippling sound waves—its internal construction was exquisitely complex.

He needed to generate invisible vibrations that could tear through the air with tangible force, channeling spiritual energy with precise frequency and intensity into every node of the matrix.

Again and again, he adjusted parameters, seeking the optimal mana configuration.

Each minor adjustment demanded immense Spiritual Energy Control; the slightest misstep would unravel the entire structure.

Sweat dripped from his brow, dampening his collar, but his focus remained unshaken.

After countless attempts, the semi-transparent interface finally flickered with feedback:

【Sound Wave Oscillation (Proficient) experience points +1】

【Current Progress: Sound Wave Oscillation (Proficient 98/100)】

Outside the training ground, Liliya sighed softly at the red sign hanging on the door.

She turned back, carefully placing the freshly prepared meal into the warming compartment.

…

For several days, Luo En trained relentlessly.

Closing his eyes, he felt spiritual energy course like a gentle stream through his body.

“Focus,” he muttered to himself, weaving the spell matrix with his hands.

As the energy surged, the air around him trembled faintly, invisible ripples spreading outward.

Luo En manipulated the frequency and intensity, layering the waves into complex interference patterns.

“Almost there,” he frowned, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

The sustained output drained him, but he pressed on, experimenting with more intricate frequency combinations.

The ripples no longer spread in a single direction but formed a multidimensional sound field, capable of attacking from multiple angles.

An hour passed. The progress bar remained stuck at two points.

This bottleneck was common, especially at the critical threshold of a breakthrough.

Luo En remained patient, testing various frequency combinations to find the opening.

After countless trials, the interface finally responded:

【Sound Wave Oscillation experience points +1】

【Current Progress: Sound Wave Oscillation (Proficient 99/100)】

“One point left,” he whispered, excitement and pressure mingling in his voice.

The final step was always the hardest.

Just like his Foundational Swordsmanship, which had lingered at 99/100 experience points for months, unable to break through.

At this stage, mere repetition was meaningless. True mastery demanded a deeper understanding of the spell’s essence.

He closed his eyes, revisiting every detail of sound wave mechanics.

Sound was a form of mana transmission, vibrating through mediums like air.

Normal waves exerted only slight pressure on surfaces.

But “Sound Wave Oscillation” disrupted molecular structures at a microscopic level, causing real damage.

This happened because the spell’s frequency resonated with the target’s natural vibrations, amplifying the wave’s amplitude to destructive levels.

Resonance?

The thought struck him like lightning.

Resonance occurred when external frequencies matched an object’s natural vibration, exponentially increasing energy transfer efficiency.

Yet, he’d never fully utilized this principle in his spell.

He’d focused on increasing mana input rather than adjusting frequencies to achieve optimal resonance.

The realization took root like a seed in fertile soil.

To test this theory, he needed a real-world example of resonance.

Suddenly, he recalled Daire’s Siren ability—the haunting soundwaves that could manipulate minds.

“Daire!” He called through their spirit link, his voice uncharacteristically urgent.

Moments later, the Little Siren glided into the training ground, her golden eyes alight with curiosity.

“Master summoned me?”

“Demonstrate your Charm Song ability,” Luo En instructed, his tone sharp and focused. “Not on me—on that stone.”

Daire glanced at the solid rock, puzzled but obedient. “Yes, Master. But… what’s the point? A stone has no mind to enchant.”

“Consider it an experiment,” he replied curtly, his gaze cold and calculating.

Daire inhaled deeply and began her song.

It wasn’t human language but an ancient Siren chant, a rhythm like ebbing tides—structured yet fluid, constantly shifting.

As she sang, the stone’s surface quivered faintly, as if tiny ripples coursed across its surface.

Luo En observed intently, channeling Spiritual Energy Perception to analyze the invisible vibrations.

Through this dual lens, he confirmed the soundwaves resonated with the stone at a fundamental level, albeit weakly.

The revelation struck like a thunderclap.

So this was how a Siren’s Enchanting Song affected both matter and minds—by precisely matching their “natural frequency,” then adjusting its own frequency to achieve perfect resonance.

It was like a key finding the perfect lock. When frequencies aligned, mana transfer efficiency multiplied geometrically.

“Thank you, Daire,” Luo En nodded, a rare smile playing on his lips. “You may go.”

Daire shot a curious glance at the stone, then at him, before obediently leaving.

Luo En sat cross-legged again, closed his eyes, and began reconstructing the “Sound Wave Oscillation” spell matrix from scratch.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end