Chapter 246: A Thousand Years

Chapter 246: A Thousand Years

"These two ancestral effigies represent two distinct cultivation philosophies of the Solar Corona Breathing Technique."

Andie explained slowly, his voice tinged with a faint yearning and reverence for ancestral power:

"The one on the left leans toward explosive conquest, embodying the Path of Conquest. It seizes control of Solaramana by force, granting peak power for a brief period.

The one on the right represents the Path of Symbiosis. Through harmonious coexistence with Solaramana, it offers sustained and stable power enhancement."

Luo En turned to face Andie, pausing briefly before saying, "Andie, I hope to take the right-side effigy and a Sun Crown insignia as foundational materials to deeply study the Solar Corona Breathing Technique. In exchange—"

He retrieved a carefully sealed wooden box from his Storage Bag.

With meticulous care, he opened the box. Inside, twelve vials of faintly golden glow lined up neatly, each emitting nearly perfect energy fluctuations.

"This is my improved bloodline activation potion. Through refined formulation and balancing, it surpasses your original version by at least thirty percent in efficacy while reducing side effects by forty. It incorporates traits from your post-Bloodline Purification lineage, drastically boosting success rates and bloodline purity."

Luo En's voice remained calm, but his eyes gleamed with pride for his creation:

"Activation success rates now hover around seventy percent. You can use this as a lineage artifact, ensuring each generation produces a Crimson Blood Sky Dragon Bloodline Knight. At minimum, it guarantees your bloodline's power remains stable for three to four centuries."

Andie's eyes lit up, golden pupils dilating slightly with excitement.

He understood its significance perfectly.

The ability to consistently produce Crimson Blood Sky Dragonbloodline Knights across generations was the ultimate cornerstone of enduring authority!

"Deal!" Andie agreed without hesitation, his tone brimming with unrestrained joy:

"I'll provide a copy of the Solar Corona Breathing Technique manuscript, along with this ancestral effigy symbolizing the Path of Symbiosis and the Sun Crown insignia."

Turning to Kuren, he commanded directly:

"Start copying the manuscript tonight. Ensure every detail is perfectly accurate."

Kuren hesitated, an old man's flicker of uncertainty flashing in his eyes.

But under Andie's firm gaze, he eventually nodded silently and turned to arrange the manuscript replication.

The Royal Suite occupied the quietest corner of the Palace's east wing—a luxurious residence specially prepared for honored guests.

Crystal chandeliers bathed the high ceilings in soft light, reflecting off exquisite furniture and tapestries. A massive four-poster bed dominated the bedroom, its silk sheets crafted from the finest threads, their texture as smooth as flowing water.

Yet to Luo En, these luxuries were mere distractions. His full attention focused on the mysterious crystal effigy.

He placed the effigy carefully within a specially prepared mana quarantine array. A blue energy curtain immediately enveloped it, isolating external mana interference.

Then Luo En initiated a deep Transcendent Perception. His spiritual energy extended like fine probes, gradually seeping into every corner of the effigy.

As his spiritual energy penetrated further, the effigy's internal structure materialized in Luo En's consciousness—like an intricate three-dimensional blueprint.

The core was indeed as he suspected—a Solara Essence crystal, containing the refined bloodline essence extracted by the first generation of Sun Crown Knights.

Yet disappointment flickered in Luo En's eyes.

After millennia of erosion, the crystal's surface had formed a thick mana shell. This shell had fused with the inner essence, like rust corroding precious metal.

Extracting pure Solara Essence would require extremely sophisticated equipment. The simple alchemical furnaces currently in his Storage Bag proved inadequate for effective purification.

Luo En's fingers tapped lightly on the table, a trace of regret in his gaze.

"Perhaps only at the Crystal Spire, with more advanced equipment and a complete knowledge system, can I attempt this high-difficulty purification process."

Though he couldn't immediately utilize the crystal to complete his defective Solara's Blessing, Luo En felt no discouragement.

Compared to that, the Solar Corona Breathing Technique's final stage cultivation method deserved his immediate focus.

He opened the manuscript cautiously, unfolding the first page.

The text wasn't ordinary script but a special rune.

These runes formed a unique record system, comprehensible only to those possessing a certain degree of Solara's Blessing.

As his spiritual energy flowed into the pages, the runes began glowing faintly. A strange resonance formed between him and the manuscript.

The previously cryptic runes gradually clarified, transforming into vivid cultivation diagrams and detailed explanations pouring into Luo En's consciousness—a revelation as enlightening as a crown of wisdom.

"I see... The final stage of the Solar Corona Breathing Technique is called Radiant Wheel."

The deeper he read, the more he grasped the complete system of this breathing technique.

Previously, he'd only mastered the foundational aspects. Now, the entire framework unfolded before him.

The Solar Corona Breathing Technique divided into four stages, each with distinct objectives and cultivation methods:

The first stage—Physique Forging - Tempering—strengthened the physical body through specialized breathing techniques and postures, combined with Burning Oil training. This prepared the body to withstand greater mana.

The second stage—Spirit Communication—built upon the foundation, establishing an initial link between consciousness and Solaramana, enabling practitioners to perceive and guide minute quantities of Solaramana.

The third stage—Bloodline Awakening—maintained awakening through Lava Drop Dew, constructing bloodline circuits within the body. This allowed Solaramana to circulate internally, forming the preliminary Solara system.

Finally, the fourth stage—Radiant Wheel—integrated the previous three stages' achievements, constructing a complete miniature 'galactic system' within.

This enabled cultivators not only to channel Solaramana, but also purify, enhance, and shape it.

Achieving even the initial balance of this 'galactic system' transformed one into a Sun Crown Knight, capable of rivaling a Full Mage.

Beyond that lay the mythical realm—"Human Body as the Sun"—the ultimate aspiration.

"No wonder Sun Crown Knights were so rare in history", Luo En murmured, eyes gleaming with awe.

"This path demands extraordinary bloodline and innate talent. Without a complete Solara's Blessing, one cannot even begin the final stage's cultivation."

The Sun Crown Knights' ultimate form—Radiant Wheel—contained three critical steps:

First—Solara Resonance—used specialized breathing techniques and postures to resonate the Solara's Blessing within one's body with the celestial Sun, forming a mana resonance circuit to draw endless Solaramana.

Second—Boning and Blood Forging—infused Solaramana into bones and blood, comprehensively strengthening and modifying the body.

This enhanced the body's capacity to hold greater Solaramana, transforming every part into a reservoir and conversion core for Solaramana.

The final section was "Radiant Formation", constructing a miniature "Eternal Galactic System" within the body.

This system, composed of dozens of mana nodes, formed a complex network. Once completed, it allowed cultivators to manipulate Solar Mana as effortlessly as their limbs, creating a special mana armor—the "Sun Crown Armor."

This armor served both as formidable defense and terrifying weapon.

"Sun Crown Armor. This isn't merely protection—it's a symbol of power."

Luo En continued reading, his eyes glowing brighter:

"It can resist most physical attacks while converting part of mana attacks into one's own power, creating a virtuous cycle."

Previously mastered Solar Corona Swordsmanship was merely the foundational aspect of this system, emphasizing external techniques and footwork.

The manuscript now revealed its true core—how to perfectly integrate Solar Mana into every movement, imbuing each sword strike with the Sun's divine might.

"So this is it. It's not about complex techniques but requiring such precise control over mana."

"No wonder most mages lose interest in breathing techniques", Luo En mused, a flicker of realization in his eyes. "The time and energy investment required is prohibitively high."

In the mage world, time and energy were the most precious resources. Ordinary mages seeking immediate combat power could simply perform bloodline formulations on slaves to create custom battle puppets.

There was no need to spend decades cultivating a non-mainstream knight path personally. Mages pursued the shortest path to knowledge and power. While powerful, the Solar Corona Breathing Technique was too circuitous.

Only those unable to advance further along the mage path would attempt this arduous knight journey.

"But for me, this is a perfect opportunity."

The manuscript's final section recorded failed cases as warnings.

Some cultivators, rushing for results, forcibly controlled Solar Mana beyond their capacity, causing mana surges—resulting in severe injuries or even complete annihilation.

Others made errors constructing the Eternal Galactic System, leading to chaotic mana circulations, turning them into walking "high-energy bombs" prone to explosive bursts.

In the Transcendent World, there were no shortcuts—every ounce of power required equivalent risk and effort.

As night deepened, Luo En remained immersed in studying the manuscript, tireless.

For a knowledge seeker, nothing was more thrilling than discovering a new power system.

The guards outside had changed shifts three times, the moon had silently moved westward, but Luo En showed no sign of rest.

As a Full Mage, his spiritual stamina far surpassed ordinary beings, allowing him to maintain alertness for days without sleep.

...

The next afternoon after lunch, Luo En decided it was time to leave the kingdom.

"Your treasure vault findings satisfactory?" Andie asked, guiding him to the specially prepared parlor.

"Quite rewarding", Luo En nodded. "The Solar Corona Breathing Technique manuscript was more detailed than I expected, and the 'Ancestral Mold Doll' will also prove useful."

They settled into the spacious parlor, squires serving meticulously prepared tea and snacks before discreetly withdrawing, leaving the old friends alone.

"Honestly, I envy you."

Andie lifted his teacup, gaze fixed through the window. "The ability to keep progressing, always chasing higher realms."

Luo En observed Andie—once a destitute prince, now gradually transforming into a sovereign ruler, his former hesitation and timidity long gone.

"Everyone has their purpose", he replied calmly. "Your duty is to govern the nation, continuing the royal lineage. My path lies in exploring the unknown, seeking essence."

Andie sighed. "Logically, I understand that. But..."

He paused, a subtle melancholy flickering in his eyes. "After today's parting, I may never see you again in my lifetime."

Luo En stiffened, momentarily at a loss for words.

Indeed, for commoners, decades constituted a lifetime. For a Full Mage, it was merely a brief chapter in an endless existence.

Seeing this, Andie shook his head. "I suppose I guessed right. Beings like you rarely look back at mortal affairs."

Suddenly, the golden-haired youth chuckled. That carefree laughter seemed to return them to their youthful days.

"Never mind. I know this question is difficult. Just one request..."

His expression turned unusually serious. "When I become dust, I hope you'll visit my grave someday. I wonder what Falu Kingdom will look like by then."

Luo En inhaled deeply, solemnly nodding. "I promise, Andie. No matter how long it takes, I'll return to see your kingdom—and your grave."

Andie smiled, his worries dissipating. "Then I'll work hard to make Falu Kingdom even stronger, so you'll be amazed when you return."

They shared a smile, briefly forgetting the vast disparity in their lifespans, savoring this rare friendship.

"It's getting late. I must depart. I'll return only when matters conclude..."

He stood, a tinge of indescribable emotion rising in his chest.

Andie gazed at the darkening sky. "Conclude? What does that even mean?"

"A millennium from now. None of us will live that long."

Andie's lips curled into a bitter smile. "You might. But I... will turn to dust within a century."

His golden vertical pupils flickered with complex emotions. "When you walk the world a thousand years hence, my descendants may revere you as mere legend."

Luo En remained silent, his gaze drifting to the royal family crest on the wall.

The golden Sun Crown symbol gleamed under the lamp, a silent witness.

"Even a millennium must end."

Finally, he spoke, his voice carrying ageless endurance. "But some things are eternal—memories, promises."

Andie was moved, then regained composure. "I hope so."

"Then let's part ways." The black-robed mage strode forward, softly.

Andie inhaled deeply, then solemnly performed a knight's salute: "May stars guide your path. May fate favor your journey."

Luo En returned the mage's gesture—right hand over heart, a slight bow. "May sunlight bless your kingdom. May descendants carry your glory."

Their final smiles held understanding without words.

Luo En turned, his robe fluttering like a departing black sail.

Andie remained, watching his fate-changing friend leave—eyes filled with both reluctance and anticipation.

He knew this might be their final farewell.

But this friendship, this intersection, would forever reside in his memory—a treasure among treasures.

The black-robed mage waved once, not looking back.

He exited the palace, where Ai Lan had prepared the carriage.

The tree spirit keenly sensed his master's emotional fluctuations but wisely refrained from asking, merely opening the door respectfully.

The carriage plunged into thick gray haze, gradually vanishing into the horizon.

Luo En folded his hands, absently toying with the Sun Crown badge, his thoughts drifting toward the unknown world ahead.

Crystal Spire—the magical world's heart—awaited a uniquely different visitor.

"Time flies, worldly affairs ebb and flow."

He murmured inwardly, gazing at endless fields and distant blurred mountains. "By the time I return, this land will have changed beyond recognition."

A strange loneliness enveloped him—longevity's unique sorrow.

But soon, determination returned.

"This is the path I chose."

Luo En inhaled sharply, eyes flashing resolve. "No matter how many thorns and mists lie ahead, I'll clear them all."

The carriage rolled onward, carrying the young mage toward fate's next chapter.

Behind him lay memories and attachments gradually fading with time—family bonds and friendships destined to follow divergent paths.

This was the mage's destiny—to chase eternity and truth, yet accept the transience of all connections.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end