Age of Adepts

Bloodline replacement could not be done overnight, and the entire process could take up to several months.

The drop of liquid stored in the blue crystal was such a drop of 'blood' that Grim had obtained by using the modulated Source Stealer to devour the corpse of that strange star beast, then extracting the complete bloodline power from the Source Stealer's body, and then going through a series of quenching and purification.

Most of the Star Beasts were chaotic, and what they absorbed was also the kind of violent magical energy that hadn't undergone any purification or filtering, so it was completely different from the bit creatures in every aspect.

Within Grim's chest, the shattered blue crystal had been encased in a pouch cavity formed by blood and muscle. Right now, there was a wisp of blue-black mist evaporating from the drop of liquid, which was then absorbed by a thin whisker of flesh tightly wrapped around the crystal.

This slowly releasing mist gradually passed along with the blood flow to every corner of Grim's body, and everywhere it went, there was some subtle and strange exchange of energy with the flesh and blood, tendons, veins, and organs there.

Some mysterious energy penetrated into Grim's flesh and blood organs, thus triggering some kind of unpredictable change. The process of this change was not as peaceful as Grim's apparent display.

Grim was lying on his back on the floor, a look of pain flashed across his young face from time to time, and from time to time, a part of his body would suddenly twitch and spasm.

However, even if the pain on his body was intense, Grim would not forcefully interrupt the process, but only silently controlled the progress of the bloodline replacement by virtue of the chip's huge and subtle perception ability.

And deep in his mind, a tiny light screen was projecting a blood-red number.

"...21%... 22%... 23%... "

Sometimes the number on the screen remained motionless for days, and sometimes it would change rapidly within three to five minutes. Every change it made meant that there were sweeping changes going on inside Grim's body, and these changes were usually accompanied by excruciating pain.

This was evident from Grim's sometimes awake, sometimes dazed mental state!

And during the time that Grim was in seclusion, the Crimson family had gone into hibernation.

Most of the affairs of the Alois region had been delegated to the nobles of the Crimson Dynasty, large and small, while the Crimson Family's sorcerers, apart from continuing to be stationed at resource points around the world, the remaining ones had retreated back to the family headquarters and rarely showed their faces outside anymore.

Not only were the members of the Crimson Family waiting in eager anticipation for the birth of a new 4th rank sorcerer, but there were also countless families or organizational forces throughout the Scattered Tower Forest silently awaiting the final outcome.

Those sorcerers or organizations that had offended or attacked the Crimson Clan in the past were like ants on a hot pan, irritable but helpless. Once that Grim really became a 4th rank wizard, even without the Crimson Family's action, those snobs who wanted to hold the stinky feet and sneak into the gutter would flock together and use their heads in exchange for a small promise from the Crimson Family.

At that time, there would be no place for them in the middle of the entire continent!

Although every region in the Sorcerer World had laws and regulations that 'strictly forbid internal slaughter', those things were obviously only binding on the low and middle ranked Sorcerers. For a 4th rank wizard who was already at the top of the Wizarding World, any laws and rules were null and void. Only a powerful battle force of rank 4 or equivalent to rank 4 could make these rank 4 witches slightly worried.

But when it was Grim they were dealing with, what old association guy would be recognized to strike down this association's 'hot fry' for the slightest benefit!

It could be politely said that at this moment, Grim was simply the heartthrob of all the Association's 4th rank wizards. It didn't even hurt as much as it hurt, so how would they bother him at this time.

On the contrary, in order to prevent some unsighted guys from disturbing that Grim's advancement, the association had even secretly deployed two elite sorcerer troops stationed at the borders of the Alois region. On the one hand, they were protecting Grim, while on the other hand, they were also implicitly monitoring and controlling.

On the second day of Grim's lockdown, the top brass of the Crimson Family, represented by Gargamel and Wenliel, secretly arrived at Keslin Castle to pay a visit to Vice President Milva.

The purpose of their visit was also simple, two words, 'blackmail'!

It couldn't really be called blackmail, after all, the Association was the one who had counted Grim out in the first place.

If Grim didn't know what was going on, after advancing to Level 4, the Association would be able to use the terms of the contract to force Grim to accept that dreadful mission. At that time, when things happened suddenly, Grim would have no choice but to accept reality and embark on the path to the Death Plane.

That way, the Association would be able to resolve this matter satisfactorily with minimal cost!

Unfortunately, now Grim had learned what was going on.

Then at this moment, the association could no longer play deaf and dumb, expecting the other party to forcefully swallow the bitter fruit and take all the dangers and losses on themselves.

If the Association really wanted to annoy Grim, he stalled for a bit and refused to advance in rank. At that time, although he would be severely punished by the Association, the Association would only be able to choose one more from the existing fourteen 4th rank wizards.

After all, the Scattered Earth Tallinn Association was not like the three great sorcerer powers, which had strict internal discipline and strong binding force, but was just a loose and unified alliance of sorcerers. If one of them was elected to 'die', I'm afraid that it would fall apart in a matter of minutes.

And this is the capital that Gargamel and Winelille ran to bargain with the Association.

Where to find such a good thing when you want both the horses to run and the horses to graze!

On Grim's orders and instructions, Gargamel brought out his woozy skills and lionized that Milva's Vice President, making one outrageous demand after another that made his beard explode, for resources, territory, people, treasure, knowledge....

Almost everything Gargamel could think of, he made a long list, filled in a big number on the back, and then tore into the other side supposedly.

A 4th rank wizard? What's that? What does it have to do with my request?

It had to be said that the dutiful Gargamel was truly worthy of being a 'Crimson Butler', daring to jump to his feet and open his teeth and claws in front of a furious 4th rank wizard for a mere 'little' resource.

The Laurien wizard who was caught in the middle had two big heads, appeasing this one before appeasing the other. It was hard to keep the two fire heads down, but when a new topic was brought up, the two fire heads exploded in unison.

A 2nd rank witch and a 4th rank witch were arguing with red faces, and then a 3rd rank witch beside them persuaded them to fight... Standing beside her, Winrielle's facial muscles were twitching in a strong way, and she was having a very hard time holding back her laughter. Often times, she felt in a trance that the scene in front of her was so absurd and ridiculous, but when she thought about it, it made sense!

After understanding all the inside information, Wenliel also knew very well in her heart that that Vice President of Mirwa looked like a thunderstorm on the surface, but I'm afraid that she was still very happy inside.

After all, it was far better for the association to lose some resources than to break apart over a dangerous quota!

So, even if Gargamel made a fierce and unbearable scene, he was just angry, angry, angry....

Besides, with Milva's 4th rank sorcerer's strength, if he was really angry, how could a 3rd rank underling be able to persuade him? I'm afraid that a sorcery would be thrown over and the heavens and earth would be clear, so how could he tolerate a Gryphon-like 2nd stage being so arrogant and domineering in front of him.

Is his anger just a statement!

Just a warning to Gargamel, although the Association is at fault in this matter, you shouldn't go too far on your end. It's just that the line between what is too much and what is not too much needs to be tested a little by a 'shrew' like Gargamel.

With both sides unwilling to tear each other apart, the so-called bargaining is actually more like a farce!

After a hoarse and protracted 'heated discussion', the two sides finally reached a basic agreement on a list of resources, items and knowledge.

As the dry-mouthed Gargamel and Wenliel, accompanied by Laurien, personally went to the Association's treasury to 'carry' the supplies, the anger on the face of Vice President Mirwa, who was left alone in the room, was fading a little.

"They're opening their mouths a bit too much this time, a bit too greedy!" Milva said coldly, not knowing who he was talking to.

"Greedy is good, greedy is wonderful... If they're not greedy, I'm afraid the Association will be in big trouble this time!" President Freed's projection emerged silently from behind Milva.

"Not a little bit was lost this time, even the resources and materials, they have a huge appetite!" Milva was still somewhat hateful.

"Can that amount of resources and materials be worth the value of a 4th rank?" President Freed smiled and asked rhetorically.

Milva was silent.

Finally, that little bit of discomfort from earlier also died quickly.

Milva gritted her teeth inwardly, rightly so, as if those things were a life-buying payment for that Grim!

...................

The massive infusion of resources, materials, treasures, and knowledge had also made the Crimson Family's foundation even thicker and sturdier.

Most Crimson Shamans had no way of knowing about the crisis facing the upper echelons of the family and only knew to bask in the joy of the family's 'bumper harvest'.

The family lord was about to become a 4th rank, how could they, the family members, follow the family lord's footsteps if they were left too far behind. Thus, without the need for the upper echelons to agitate and create momentum, a frenzy of all-out advancement and efforts to advance in rank was set off among the Crimson Wizards.

With the abundance of family resources, those family sorcerers with exceptional potential and talent were also given a not insignificant inclination of resources. As a result, there were countless numbers of guys who had improved one after another.

However, most of these improvements were in small steps, and the number of true 1 to 2, or 2 to 3 were extremely rare.

And amidst the many figures of the wizard's efforts, one lone down-and-out fellow was particularly striking and conspicuous!