Chapter 420: Power of Jiyuan

Faced with this gathering of exceptional individuals, one could not hope to capture their attention without unveiling true mastery.

Thus, Ronin chose to lay bare his prowess before these outsiders.

"A legend from a magister within a decade?"

Confronted with Ronin’s supreme confidence, Sophia could only manage a helpless, bitter smile. "Young people are always so brimming with arrogance. There are indeed geniuses like you upon the Crescent Continent, yet even they must wait until their fortieth year to grasp the mantle of legend. A decade from now, you will be a mere twenty-nine..."

At that point, she shook her head.

"Given your boundless talent, I would advise you to cultivate both your mana and battle qi to the absolute pinnacle of the ninth rank simultaneously, thereby birthing the polar genesis of law and the polar genesis of battle in one magnificent stroke. Only then will your future self achieve true, unparalleled might."

"If you merely lust for speed and desire a swift breakthrough into legend, you would be squandering such a peerless gift!"

Ronin’s attention was instantly captured by her words.

He had learned of the power of polar genesis from Belora, but he had remained ignorant of the fact that possessing both variants could render a person so vastly superior.

"What benefits are there to cultivating two distinct polar geneses at the same time?"

Sophia looked at him with confusion. "You do not know?"

The moment the question left her lips, the explanation dawned upon her.

The Stellar Continent did not possess a single legendary powerhouse; where could Ronin possibly have learned the deeper truths of polar genesis?

"The power of polar genesis is a singular force. Once it manifests within your form, it signifies that you have obtained the key to the legendary realm. When you possess both the polar genesis of battle and the polar genesis of law simultaneously, you hold two distinct keys, allowing you to unlock two separate treasuries and claim a double portion of treasure."

Perplexed, Ronin asked, "What manner of treasure?"

"A bounty bestowed by heaven and earth."

Sophia explained further, "To ascend to legend is to be branded with the planar imprint. This imprint will temper and reinforce your mental strength, battle qi, and physical vessel. The number of these reinforcements is directly tethered to your polar genesis."

Understanding dawned upon Ronin.

When a mage possessed only the polar genesis of law, they could receive but a single tempering; the same held true for a knight.

Yet when a practitioner of both magic and martial paths acquired both the polar genesis of battle and law concurrently, their reinforcement would double.

Thus, though they might all be legends, their starting points diverged drastically.

"And that is not all."

Since she had already spoken this much, Sophia decided to reveal a little more.

"A legendary knight consumes the planar imprint within their sea of qi, while a legendary mage devours the imprint residing within their mana space. By consuming them, the willpower of heaven and earth descends, bestowing another reinforcement upon the knight and mage, thereby igniting their soul-fire and elevating them into sages."

She extended two slender fingers. "Possessing two distinct imprints means you shall harvest a double portion of blessing."

Ronin understood completely.

This advantage was one that extended indefinitely into the future.

Therefore, those who pursued ultimate power would likely strive to raise both their battle qi and magic to the apex of the ninth rank, allowing them to resonate and generate twin polar geneses.

"To forge two polar geneses within a single decade—the task is simply too monumental!"

Sophia pulled the conversation back to the matter at hand. "However, I do believe you possess the genuine qualifications to become a legend, and perhaps in the future, I shall require your assistance."

"Thank you for your guidance, Sophia. I now possess a far more meticulous understanding of the cultivation of knights and mages."

Ronin offered a smile. "Yet I remain steadfast in my belief that I can become a legend wielding the power of dual polar geneses in less than ten years. Moreover, if I can secure your aid, that timeframe shall shrink even further."

Sophia knit her brows, sinking into deep reflection.

If Ronin truly possessed the capability to achieve this, then entering an alliance with him would pose no issue whatsoever.

They could even seize this interim to unify the disparate voices of the Stellar Continent, ensuring at the very least that the people of the Alduin Kingdom would not journey to the Crescent Continent to assist, only to have their homeland overturned by enemies in their absence.

"If we are to cooperate, what is it you require of me?" she inquired.

Ronin’s eyes ignited; this seemed remarkably promising.

"I need Uncle Simon to assist me in constructing warships, a necessity whether we are to confront our foes or return to the Crescent Continent in the days to come."

Sophia nodded silently. In this, Ronin spoke the absolute truth, and the port of Wubei seemed uniquely suited for such an endeavor.

Ronin continued, "Furthermore, the development of the territory, the leadership of the military, the research of alchemical potions, and various other domains—I shall likely require your assistance in many aspects!"

These were reasonable and grounded directions.

Sophia harbored no aversion to them.

"And what will you offer in return?" she demanded.

"I shall provide you with land, due compensation, and every possible convenience across this realm."

Sophia shook her head. "None of those are things I require."

"Naturally!"

Ronin countered, "On the day I ascend to legend, I shall lead my subordinates alongside you back to the Crescent Continent to annihilate the Demon God."

"I neglected to mention that among my followers, aside from Elrond, an eighth-rank magister, there stands a Silver Moon Knight, a Blazing Sun Knight, and a dragon on the cusp of reaching the seventh rank."

Sophia cast a profound, lingering gaze upon Ronin.

If this continent truly lacked even the presence of a Blazing Sun, then Ronin, possessing such an array of forces, would never content himself with remaining a mere earl.

Let alone the Kingdom of Tricia, by then even the Alduin Kingdom might well be swallowed whole.

Ah, yes, he was the king's son-in-law, meaning that from a certain perspective, he also held a legitimate claim to the throne.

If he were to become the sovereign of the Stellar Continent and proved willing to muster the entire continent’s might to join the Crescent Continent in eradicating the Demon God, it would indeed be a magnificent outcome.

"I shall consider it."

Sophia murmured after a moment of deliberation. "If it pleases you, I would still prefer that you escort us to the royal capital. I wish to observe the customs and character of your people firsthand."

Most crucially, she desired to verify whether this land truly lacked any legendary presences, just as Ronin and the intelligence reports asserted.

"Of course, it would be my honor!"

Ronin offered no refusal.

Were he in her position, he too would never settle a matter of such gravity based solely on the solitary testimony of a single individual.

Following this, Sophia questioned Ronin further regarding the political landscape of the Stellar Continent.

Ronin recounted the general situation within his grasp, detailing the various kingdoms and ducal territories.

Sophia had not anticipated that while the peoples of the Crescent Continent had forged a grand alliance to collectively resist the incursions of the Demon God,

the denizens of the Stellar Continent, left entirely undisturbed by any such fiend, had managed to wage bitter conflict among themselves for so many years, to the point of completely erasing their own history from memory.

She could not help but sigh inwardly, shaking her head. When humanity lacks a common and formidable foe, they inevitably become each other's greatest adversary.

There was an undeniable, profound truth to that maxim.

The two conversed for a long while, the atmosphere remaining harmoniously pleasant.

Ronin availed himself of the opportunity to have Galen instruct the kitchens that the castle would host a grand banquet in honor of these esteemed guests tonight.

Early the following morning, Ronin paid a visit to the port of Wubei.

Gauging the progress of the harbor's construction was merely one of his objectives; his primary intent was to examine the true nature of the vessels hailing from across the vast ocean.

"To think that the primary structural framework is actually forged of iron!"

Luo Ning could tell at a glance that the vessel was no ordinary craft.

Just from its exterior, he knew this ship far surpassed those built on Screaming Island.

If Wubei Territory could equip such vessels, it would surely dominate the seas in the future.

Luo Ning thought to himself, “I must not let go of a talent like Uncle Simon!” (End of Chapter)