“Yes, it was her… she is helping me.”
“After saving me and the child, she once again bestowed upon me a gift of fate, granting me potential far surpassing that of others.”
Staring at the Phoenix Pendant in his hand, Igor murmured, his eyes betraying barely restrained gratitude and exhilaration.
Only now did the young man finally realize his mistaken judgment—
This seemingly unremarkable Phoenix Pendant was likely not just a rare ancient relic, but also a vessel housing a spirit!
And within it, resided a High-Level Spirit who had been slumbering for who knows how long!
Thinking of this, Igor let out a soft breath of frosty air.
Yes.
Elemental Spirits, these elemental lifeforms, naturally prefer to inhabit objects capable of storing mana.
And every ancient relic, passed down from the era of the Magic Empire, is a magical item brimming with abundant mana, making it an excellent choice for a spirit’s dwelling.
Clearly, the pendant in his hand was even more powerful than an ordinary ancient relic. Its abundant mana, which even he as a newly minted Elementalist found astonishing, was naturally the most favored abode for a High-Level Spirit!
Recalling the dream-like encounter he had just experienced, recalling the divine-like, majestic power of the crystalline phoenix, Igor grew excited once more.
A High-Level Spirit!
A High-Level Elemental Spirit with a true name, highly likely without a contracted partner, and moreover, one who held goodwill towards him!
But this ecstasy lasted only for a moment before being instantly overshadowed by even stronger vigilance and immense pressure…
What did a High-Level Spirit… signify?
Igor’s mind raced, recalling all the legends and information about High-Level Spirits.
A High-Level Spirit meant a spiritual lifespan far exceeding that of a Lesser Spirit, at least several hundred, a thousand, or even more years, enough to be passed down through a family for a millennium or longer.
A High-Level Spirit meant it could actively enlighten and create more Lower-Level Spirits, forming a true spirit community.
A High-Level Spirit meant it could have more than one contractor, capable of nurturing multiple Elementalists.
A High-Level Spirit also meant the ability to continuously produce 【Elemental Stones】, which could help an affiliated faction nurture life-linked innate spirits and mass-produce Inferior Elementalists.
And the power it itself possessed, along with the feedback it provided to its contractor, was more than enough to guide the contractor to even higher ranks!
A High-Level Spirit with the potential for a contract, even if it was only the lowest level of Greater Spirit, was sufficient to elevate a weak family into a regional hegemon. Its value was simply inestimable!
Once the news leaked, it would be enough to plunge the entire Blackwater River County…
No, even the entire Western Region and perhaps the entire Kingdom, into an unprecedented storm of bloodshed, attracting the frenzied contention and bloody slaughter of all transcendent factions!
Even the royal family would likely get involved!
“Secrecy! I must maintain secrecy at all costs!”
Igor almost instantly issued the sternest warning to himself, a cold sweat instantly soaking through his back: This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“If discovered… the consequences would likely be ten times, a hundred times more terrifying than the Orion family’s full-scale pursuit!”
The youth subconsciously clenched the Phoenix Pendant in his hand tightly.
His eyes, now sharper due to his transcendent power, also welled up with barely suppressible worry and dread.
The opportunity was greater than his wildest imagination.
But the danger that came with it was equally, extremely lethal!
Igor forced himself to take several long, deep breaths.
Only after inhaling the cold air into his lungs did he manage to somewhat suppress the excitement and fear that felt ready to burst from his chest.
He tried to focus his newly stabilized mental power and, with immense reverence and a trace of apprehension, directed as respectful and humble a thought as possible towards the unfathomable Phoenix Pendant in his hand:
“Honored Superior… Ancient Spirit of Frost, Ale…”
“Your humble, newly-advanced Lower-Level contractor Igor, here with infinite gratitude and awe, humbly requests your response…”
He struggled to recall a description of etiquette he had once read in the corner of an ancient manuscript, regarding how a Lower-Level Elementalist should pay respects to a High-Level Spirit.
Igor focused all his thoughts onto the source of mana deep within the pendant. Vast, restrained, like a frozen ocean…
There was no response.
The pendant still maintained that warm yet cool touch.
The Lesser Spirit he had successfully contracted had flown out at some point, emitting a serene radiance, transforming into a magnificent crystalline snow eagle that perched affectionately on him.
This was the new physical form it had obtained after successfully contracting with Igor.
But other than that, no grander, more mature, more ancient consciousness responded to the youth’s call.
Igor waited for a long time.
Finally, he slowly let out a long breath.
“Yes… she likely expended too much power to help me with the contract and has fallen into slumber once more.”
Combining this with the earlier dream, Igor arrived at the most reasonable speculation:
“Perhaps due to experiencing the brutal battles of ancient times, perhaps due to the consumption of excessively long years.”
“Or perhaps other reasons… have caused this High-Level Spirit’s power to weaken severely…”
“She cannot even maintain a materialized form anymore, so… that’s why she requested me to find a vessel for her to move freely.”
However, perhaps this was for the best.
Only if the other party needed him would he have a chance to demonstrate his value and gradually earn her recognition.
Perhaps one day in the future, when he became strong enough, he might even gain her favor, win the opportunity to contract with her, and thus ascend to a higher rank!
He looked at the infant girl still sleeping soundly in the cave, then lowered his gaze to the seemingly small yet miraculous pendant in his hand: a pendant capable of altering the power balance of the Kingdom’s western region.
A clear and cautious plan rapidly took shape in his mind…
Although the area of the Blackwood Forest was temporarily safe, it was absolutely no place to linger.
It was still too close to the Orion family’s sphere of influence, and the forest itself was full of unknown dangers.
He had to leave!
He must find a relatively safe place to establish himself, far from the Orion family’s influence, as soon as possible!
Furthermore, there was also his promise to the High-Level Spirit, Ale…
“The north… the Heidel family, the Shadowgrove Bay County…”
A clear destination surfaced in Igor’s mind.
Shadowgrove Bay!
The environment there was relatively lax. The lord, Reinhardt, had old grievances with the Orion family’s lord, the Count of Blackwater River, and his rule was not overly harsh.
More importantly, it had seaports, was bustling with merchants and travelers, had good information flow… and was close to the Northern Ruins where many wandering mercenaries gathered!
Legend said it was the homeland of the Ice Spirits.
Perhaps… he could find clues there about ancient relics, the slumber of Elemental Spirits, or even ways to help her regain her strength!
Igor hesitated no longer.
With utmost care, he concealed the Phoenix Pendant close to his body once more, ensuring it would not be easily exposed.
The path of revenge remained long and treacherous.
But at least, when he had fallen into the abyss, almost shattered to pieces, fate… had finally, generously, dealt him a card capable of overturning everything and shocking the world!
And Igor did not know that all his current thoughts…
Were being clearly perceived by a wisp of consciousness deep within the pendant, quietly observing the outside world.
…
Within the Realm of Frozen Silence upon the Shattered Throne.
Aivrel slowly opened her ice-blue eyes, looking towards the human youth who had successfully contracted with her creation.
Her gaze remained as clear and cold as ice.
But deep within that gaze was a trace of satisfaction.
“My luck seems good; he is indeed a suitable contractor.”