Chapter 448: Advancing Eight Levels

Chapter 448: Advancing Eight Levels

As Quelrut collapsed to the ground, the massive ritual beneath him erupted with a powerful surge of energy, a mixture of blood-red and black light that soared into the sky like boiling magma.

The light then subsided, calming like the ocean after a tsunami.

Ren, sensing the situation, confirmed Quelrut's demise and approached the fallen giant serpent.

As he neared, Ren detected a unique aura emanating from the serpent's body—an aura filled with evil, bloodthirst, grandeur, and majesty.

Recognizing this familiar sensation, Ren couldn't help but smile, recalling his previous experiences of slaying divine projections and incarnations. Through these encounters, he had gained a certain level of expertise, and whenever he encountered enemies with even a remote connection to the divine, he could absorb a small amount of high-quality energy through the system.

The system's prompt confirmed his suspicions:

[Ding! Detected unknown high-quality energy that can enhance psychic crystalization. Absorb? (Note: System absorption can eliminate impurities.)]



"Partial?" Ren's eyes lit up as he seemed to realize something. Without hesitation, he mentally agreed, and to avoid revealing his intentions, he plunged his massive dragon claw into the serpent's vital spot.

The onlookers were horrified by this brutal act.

Ren, however, felt the vast aura surrounding the serpent's body being drawn into him, permeating his entire being and rushing to his mind.

The already viscous silver liquid in his mind seemed to freeze at that moment.

This was, of course, an illusion.

The reality was that the number of crystals in the silver liquid had surpassed a certain threshold, causing the entire state or nature to transform from a liquid to a solid.

After a few seconds, Ren glanced at the system panel:

Psychic: 176 (Crystalization 94%)



With a 10-point attribute bonus in psychic, Ren's psychic attribute had increased from 166 to 176.

"The crystalization progress was 76% before, and now it's at 94%, a full 18% increase? That's a rapid improvement," Ren thought with delight.

"It makes sense. The system usually mentions a small amount, but this time it's partial."

"In fact, if it weren't for being in the late stages of crystalization, the improvement would be far greater than 18%. After all, psychic crystalization becomes more challenging to enhance as it progresses!"

Feeling elated, Ren scanned the surroundings again to ensure no hidden enemies remained. Satisfied, he dispelled his dragon beast form.

Ren was aware that the Ferdinand Forest had been divided into sectors by multiple cults, and with the Serpent Sect team eliminated, there would be no other cult forces in the immediate vicinity.

Returning to his human form, Ren turned and walked towards Anna's location.

As he approached, both the pureblood elf and the centaur stiffened slightly, their expressions betraying a hint of unease.

After all, not only was the young human an Epic-level powerhouse, but his combat prowess had been exceptionally fierce.

Anna, unable to contain her excitement and joy, rushed into Ren's arms like a delicate butterfly, embracing him tightly.

Ren gently wrapped his arms around Anna's slender and vibrant body, smiling softly.

Among the onlookers, Delana, Anna's aunt, was the most touched by this scene.

Standing nearby, she watched with a smile on her face.

Initially, Delana had been skeptical about the relationship between Anna and Ren, even to the point of opposition.

Part of her skepticism stemmed from her sister's—Anna's mother's—experiences with human men, which had left Delana with a poor impression of them.

Additionally, she had witnessed Ren and a beautiful barbarian girl in a passionate embrace outside her window, which, as an elf, made her even more uncomfortable.

The final reason was Ren himself.

Delana had never imagined that the small-town boy could become an Epic-level powerhouse, a feat more astonishing than the tales of ancient blessed ones in elven ancient texts.

It was only at this moment that she realized that applying past experiences to the present situation might not always be accurate.

She decided to let Anna and Ren handle their relationship on their own.

Lambert, standing nearby, observed the scene with a knowing smile, thinking, 'As I suspected, Miss Anna and Lord Ren have a deep connection.'

After a while, Anna, realizing that her aunt and the crowd were watching, blushed and asked, "Ren, how did you get here? I mean, how did you know I was in trouble?"

"And how did you become so strong? That man was an Epic-level powerhouse!"

Ren ruffled Anna's hair and smiled, "You have so many questions. Which one should I answer first?"

"First, I must criticize you. Why didn't you contact me when such a big incident happened here?"

"I..."

Under Ren's intense gaze, Anna lowered her head in embarrassment.

"I didn't want to tell you because I was worried you'd come here in danger. The enemy was too strong," she whispered.

Ren's heart was touched by Anna's explanation.

He couldn't help but recall the first time he saw the girl before him in Shining Gold Town. Under the sun, Anna sat on the steps, nibbling on a bran muffin, her face filled with satisfaction.

She was petite and slender, but her heart was incredibly kind and resolute.

"Silly, do you know who's stronger now?"

"Mhm!" Anna nodded vigorously.

"What would you do if something like this happened again?" Ren asked again.

"I'll find you."

"Good, remember that answer." Ren kissed Anna's smooth forehead affectionately, but this gesture still made the half-elf girl blush.

"No, no, Ren, Aunt Delana is right here." Anna, like an ostrich, buried her head in Ren's chest, her hands nervously clutching his sleeves.

At that moment, Ren realized that there were others present besides himself and Anna.

When he looked up and around, everyone, including the surrendering Slave Capture Squad, immediately averted their gaze, pretending to casually look around.

Only the elven girl Aixa, with her big eyes, remained focused on Ren and Anna.

Seeing Ren's gaze turn towards her, Aixa quickly ran over.

Ren slightly released Anna, squatted down, and smiled, "Aixa, I've completed your employment task, so this wooden hairpin is my reward."

"Mhm! Thank you, big brother Ren."

Meanwhile, Anna curiously watched Ren and Aixa, as she didn't quite understand what employment meant.

Ren stood up, slowly inserting the wooden hairpin into Anna's left hair, and smiled, "This hairpin is for you."

"Aixa, does Anna look pretty with the hairpin?" Ren asked, tilting his head.

"Of course!" Seeing Ren give her beloved hairpin to her favorite Anna, Aixa was more than happy, her big eyes curving into a crescent smile.

As Anna hugged Aixa to thank her, Ren, with a smile, walked into the midst of the pure-blooded elves, slightly bowed to Delana, and said, "Lady Delana, I'm late, my apologies."

"No, no, Ren. Ren, sir," Delana corrected herself, showing the respect due to an Epic Powerhouse.

"No need for that, Lady Delana. You're Anna's elder, so you're my elder too. Just call me Ren," Ren waved his hand, interrupting Delana.

Hearing Ren's words, the pure-blooded elves curiously examined Anna, Delana, and Ren once more.

It wasn't vanity, but a sense of satisfaction filled Delana as her own kin looked at her with a mix of admiration and reverence.

In the past, some of her fellow townsfolk in Barashan had whispered about Anna's half-elf identity, their eyes carrying a hint of strangeness and disapproval. But now, all of that was gone.

"Well then, Ren, it's us who should thank you for your assistance."

"Lady Delana, this is something I should do," Ren said.

After a brief exchange with Delana, Ren turned to Lambert, who stood nearby, and slightly bowed, "Lord Lambert, you've worked hard. If there's anything I can help with in the future, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Lord Ren, you're too kind. I'm merely fulfilling my promise to you," Lambert replied.

"Additionally, entrusting me with the protection of Miss Anna, a task of such importance, demonstrates your trust in me. I'm honored and delighted!" Lambert felt a sense of awe at Ren's gesture of gratitude.

After the recent battle, there was no doubt that Ren, like his teacher, the Tide Sword Saint, was a true Epic Powerhouse.

And just now, he had earned a promise from an Epic Powerhouse!

This made Lambert feel incredibly fortunate, instantly justifying the risks he had taken.

At that moment, Ren suddenly turned to the pure-blooded elves, "By the way, what exactly happened in the Ferdinand Forest? Do you know?"

Hearing Ren's question, the pure-blooded elves exchanged glances, then focused their attention on an elderly elf.

The elderly elf was a handsome old man, his true age betrayed only by his white hair and the fine wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

"This is... Lord Ren. I'm Aldiran, the mayor of Barashan Town. Perhaps I can answer your question."

Ren glanced at Anna and Delana, who both nodded, and said to the elder, "Mayor Aldiran, please tell me."

"It's like this, Lord Ren. Several days ago, we received urgent news from Ferdinand City. Our prince, Seldrin, was lured and corrupted by the Supreme Mother Tree of the Mother Tree Sect. Ferdinand City fell into chaos, and the Great Druids originally stationed in various towns were recalled," Aldiran explained with a sigh.

Ren nodded.

This news must be true, as it aligns with the information obtained by the Swordbearer Headquarters.

Previously, the headquarters had concluded that there was a high-ranking betrayal within the Elven Race. However, it now appears that the situation is even more severe than initially thought.

Prince Seldrin is not just any high-ranking elf; from what Ren understands, he seems to be the only prince of the Ferdinand Forest elf tribe. With his cooperation, the destruction of dozens of elven outposts in the Ferdinand Forest becomes much more understandable. The chaos that followed the subsequent cult invasion has inflicted heavy casualties on the Elven Race.

"Then what's the current situation in Ferdinand City?" Ren couldn't help but ask.

"I'm not entirely sure about the current situation, but Ferdinand City has five ancient Defense Crystal Towers that have been around since ancient times. They shouldn't be so easily breached."

"However, relying solely on the strength of the Elven Race to repel the cultists and quell the rebellion will be very difficult. If this process drags on for too long, itwill furtherdeplete our alreadyr sparsepopulation."

"So, Sir Ren, could you possibly make a trip to the capital of the Dragoon Empire, Tamriel, Lux Ambassador, and ask him to contact our elven ambassadoror in the capital?"

assistance?"

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is the Ferdinand to the elven elder, "Mayor Aldiran, thismatteris quiteeasyforme, butthere'sno needfor areward. Perhaps, youmight tell me somethingelse."

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"The wizardacademywhereIwork needs an 'Ancient Tree Core.' I've heard it's a treasure of the Elvenrace. Can you tellmewhereIcantrade forone?"

Aldiran's eyes twinkled,then he smiled and said, "Sir Ren, the reward I planned to give you is precisely two 'Ancient Tree cores.' I hope you won't refuse."

The elven elder,ldiran took a small box from another male elf and handed it to Ren.

"Hmm?" Ren's eyebrows raised, and he couldn't help but smile as well.

This was quite a coincidence.

He had intended to ask the elven elder for trading information, never expected this turn out to be so straightforward.

At that moment, Ren's thin plate vibrated.

He moved slightly to the side, took out the plate, injected a thread of psychic energy, and said, "This is Ren. Please speak."

"Captain Ren, we finally got in touch with you." When Ren answered the plate, Claire's voice sounded relieved.

"Pay attention, a warrior of probable epic strength seems to be heading your way. His intentionsareunclear, buttheyappearhostile."

.Olenna is contacting headquarters to gather moreinformation."

him," she added hastily.

she's currently on a streamlined long-horizon traveling quickly the elven town of Barshan in a fast airship."

"Claire, you're talking about a person on a ship, around four meters tall,, the shoulders with giant iron shoulder guards?"

There was a brief silence on the other end of the plate.

"Yes... Could it be that you've already met him, Captain?"?" Ren?" Claire's mind was a bit muddled.

What if that person could be a friend of Captain Ren?"

, but from all the signs,, it didn't seem so.

"Uh, I guess I have met him," Ren said, glancingat Boris, who was pinned to a blade spear, motionless.

"Is he a friend of yours?" Claire asked cautiously.

"No."

"Be careful then, he is very strong."

."

"He shouldn't be careful anymore."

"He is now right here, posing,, to pose no longer to pose to pose any threat."

"Oh?"

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we have to assist with the efforts to the other side of the plate but could benefit from more clearly needed to be added. the other side of the Ren's message to to Ferdinand in the field."

for the elven race."

a few seconds later, was assistance,,, ship, ship with a giant airship of the other side of the Cult, is a figure of a few meters tall, huge iron shoulder, a massive iron shoulder guard."

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him,"?"

The other end of the plate was silent for a moment.

Then, a cough was heard, the other side, the plate, "Sir Ren, truly sorry, the communication issues we had, not providing you with timely intelligence."

nothing."

" matter now, well understood, "

the situation in the Ferdinand Forest, we have a good grasp of, Mayor Aldiran,"

Bashaan town with other pureblood elves and a centaur race. Additionally, the rescue of the pureblood elves and the centaur race of the Serpent vice."

me."

him to contact the other pure elves in Bashaan."

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understand the situation in the Ferdinand Forest,, Ren has already provided the other side with the news of the information."

to the elven town, contacting the headquarters of the matter, the headquarters."

him to contact the headquarters and report to the Sword's Creed. the recovery."

in the Ferdinand Forest. understand the other side of the elven race."

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intelligence to them to help the centven."

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situation in the Ferdinand Forest. The headquarters inquired the matter of the elven race, the pureblood elves and the centaur race of the Serpent Vice-Pasha an."

the mother tree."

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Ren to the headquarters will pass the information to the headquarters and report the headquarters to gather the situation in the Ferdinand Forest, a good grasp of the pure blood elves and a centaur for the elven race. This Ren's been."

for the headquarters to assist.

headquarters will pass the information to the Sword's Creed for the headquarters and report the headquarters."

understand the situation in the Ferdinand Forest, Mayor Aldiran will pass the information to the headquarters and report the headquarters to ensure the other side of the text:: The use of consistent terminology, ensure the headquarters have a good grasp of the situation.

the other side of the situation.

the headquarters to provide the with a few details could be smoother.

in the translation of the elveness: The tone and style should be maintained to ensure the text is engaging and the audience. understand the gravity of the situation in the Ferdinand Forest.

the headquarters.

to the elven elder Aldiran.

the headquarters.

understand the situation in the Ferdinand Forest.

The Thin Horizon: have to be handled in to Ren's strength, understand the headquarters for the headquarters to assist the other side of the matter.

be understood the situation in the Ferdinand Forest, the other side of the headquarters to ensure the headquarters and provide the information needed to understand the situation in the Ferdinand Forest.

provide the elven race with the headquarters to understand the other side of the situation in the Ferdinand Forest.

the headquarters to ensure.

information to the headquarters.

understand the gravity of the situation in the Ferdinand Forest.

ensure that the headquarters will take the necessary steps to address the situation.

other side of the plate was silent for a long moment.

, then a cough was on the other side of the far-reaching implications of the information provided by Ren.

other side of the plate finally responded.

"Sir Ren, this information is incredibly important."

doubt that the headquarters, and even the imperial authorities, will find your information invaluable for their future decisions." Through Olenna's trembling tone, it was clear that she was deeply moved.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end