Chapter 3623: Forging Preparations and Followers of Music

During this past week, Luvia had only seen Xia De two or three times. Now that they had finally managed to meet, Xia De was sitting so "far away," so of course she was dissatisfied.

Luvia grabbed Xia De's hand:

"Since that snake can currently only be active inside the temple, exploring the ruins in advance is safe. I don't know why you're acting so anxious—don't deny it, I know you too well. But there really is a way to get in.

But getting information about the ancient god's temple with just one coin is still too little. This isn't like the Golden Music Hall, a temple that barely has any power left; here, the residual power of the ancient god is still flowing."

"So what do we know so far?"

"The ruins are at the mountaintop. According to the normal process, although the candidates have a way to enter the temple early, the story has to develop to the seventh act before they can reach those ruins. The ruins are currently sealed. To enter, you need to consume one Fate Arc—the Infinite Snake's doesn't count.

As the finale of this grand drama, going there early seems to grant certain benefits. By the way, consuming one only allows one person to make a single round trip."

"So actually, you don't know the location of the entrance?"

"I don't."

The second coin was handed by Xia De to Luvia—this was also the last coin they had. The coin flew into the air, and under Xia De's unwavering gaze, scattered into a shower of purple light points.

"How did it turn out?"

"Not bad. Mr. Ring had anticipated in advance that someone would want to reach the ruins early, so I actually saw the complete rules. To go there, one must complete at least three acts of the story, possess a snake shed, and have their maximum stat value exceed 150.

The entrance is at the Peak of Destiny, or rather, continuing upward from the Peak of Destiny leads to those ruins."

"If I remember correctly, the Peak of Destiny is the highest peak."

"Find a dead snake frozen on the snow mountain and burn it, then take a herbal remedy made from the juice of lacrimal ferns, place the dead snake's ashes into an incense burner, let the scent wrap around yourself, and in a half-dream state step off the edge of the Peak of Destiny—then you'll be able to see the ruins."

"Hmm... this sounds exactly like the kind of advice Elder Harald would give. Do I need to pick a few wild mushrooms too?"

Luvia laughed:

"That part isn't needed, but this really is a hallucinogen. I still have plenty of the lacrimal ferns you helped me gather when I was preparing ink; as for the dead snake, ask Elder Harald and the others for help. This counts as a ritual, but the most crucial part is still consuming one Arc."

"After entering, is there a time limit for staying?"

"One hour. So are you going to take a look yourself? I don't recommend you smash that complete ring, so choose from the two you possess."

This really didn't require any thought:

"Keep 'Breeding,' use 'War.' The mermaid promised me she'd embed 'Breeding' into the shield."

"So when are you planning to go?"

She gently stroked Xia De's hand. Xia De had always been a man of great initiative:

"I'll go find the elders right now to ask about the dead snake."

Luvia held onto his hand, wanting to say a few private things, not letting him leave immediately, but at that moment the sound of knocking came:

"Xia De, are you in?"

It was Amelia's voice.

Xia De got up to open the door. When the pointed-eared little elf peeked inside, she was a little flushed:

"Good morning, Xia De, Luvia. Am I not interrupting you two?"

She had clearly heard that Luvia was also here, and assumed Xia De was in quite the mood for certain activities in broad daylight.

Luvia had already put away the Fate Pedestal and stood up with a smile:

"You're not interrupting. We're discussing the temple ruins. Amelia, what brings you here? Xia De said you've been very busy at the academy lately. Last time with the Falling Star Beast, the professor even took special leave for you.

Lunch is coming up soon. I just heard there's tuna cuisine today—do you like that?"

Amelia shook her head with a hint of regret:

"Professor Dac Dac Nisi asked me to help deliver a letter to Xia De. Once I deliver it, I have to head straight back. Three sets of coronation robes have been made; Grandmother wants me to go back and try them on and pick one, then they can choose the accessories.

The professor said someone wants to visit Xia De, and asked her to introduce them."

Saying so, she handed the letter to Xia De.

"Why do I feel like this has happened before? Could there be a second 'Winter Chanting Choir' up in the far north?"

As Xia De took the letter, he even cracked a joke. He tore it open, glanced at it, and immediately understood the general situation:

"They're followers of the God of Music. They seem to have something they need from me. They'll arrive in town by two this afternoon, so it looks like the trip up the mountain will have to be postponed."

After last year's Battle of Green Lake, Xia De learned from the manuscripts and notes left behind by Laplace Howard that Ms. Helena Carter, at his recommendation, had gone to seek out the followers of the God of Music to learn about the ancient gods.

Therefore, last year Dac Dac Nisi had contacted those followers of the God of Music and had some acquaintance with them. Ms. Helena Carter, meanwhile, had learned from the now-deceased previous bishop that the "Choir of Music" was a branch of the ancient "Moon Worship Cult," and that even now the choir still performs a moonlit concert at Mount Kalas once every ten years (Chapter 2522).

"The God of Music? Flora mentioned they're a group of ring sorcerers focused on music research. Although the Prophets Association brought them in to help this time, what do they want with you?"

Luvia asked curiously. Xia De didn't know either:

"Let's wait until we meet this afternoon. Surely this old god cult can't be connected to the Fatu people too, right?"

He put the letter away, then said to Amelia:

"Why not stay for lunch? I'll write a letter to Dac Dac Nisi; she won't blame you."

Amelia was clearly tempted, but ultimately shook her head:

"I'd better head back. Grandmother and the others are all waiting for me; I can't delay everyone's business because of myself."

Xia De gave her a light hug, then personally escorted her back to the base of Sylvia's Gao Ta.

Luvia didn't walk with them. She merely reflected that it had already been a year since first meeting Amelia in the Randel Valley last year, when Amelia was searching for a lost unicorn. From Randel Valley to Moon Bay, from Moon Bay to Vista Woods, and from Vista Woods to today's Fatumonster Island, Amelia had changed more than any of the Misses around Xia De.

She was rapidly growing more mature, yet had never abandoned her innocence and kindness. Luvia hoped there would be more Misses like this around Xia De.

Although Amelia had left, Luvia stayed on the ship for lunch, only returning to Time Wheel City at half past one in the afternoon.

"By the way, has Grandmother Cassandra given any suggestions on what weapon to forge with the 'Ring of War'?"

Before leaving, she asked about this matter. The fate of "War" currently didn't match anyone except Ajielina, and Ajielina had nothing to do with the story of fate. So in Luvia's view, that fate of "War" probably wouldn't play a major role in this story either, which was why she thought to ask about it before leaving.

The large ship was now approaching the Time Wheel City docks. The snowflakes drifting above the island had grown sparse. Xia De and Luvia were standing on the deck, looking at the empty docks. The blizzard had closed the Time Wheel City docks for three days. The weather seemed to be improving, but the city had yet to issue an order lifting the lockdown—after all, the "Plague" had not yet been resolved.

"Grandmother said that since I don't want the fate of War to be too overtly sharp-edged, I might as well forge it into a ring. On one hand, I can reference the craftsmanship of the 'Shou Mo Yin Zhang,' which is also a ring; on the other hand, a ring uses very few materials. For the medium, I can use a small portion of the ores left behind by the Falling Star Beast. Grandmother has already begun the preliminary shaping work on the ore, forging it into the shape of a ring first, to make it easier for me to use later.

Afterward, to fight against Mr. Snake, I may need to forge even more powerful fate weapons. Making a small one now is also accumulating technical experience for the future."

Luvia nodded in agreement:

"The Ring of War? So it really is good to have an old man around you. That's a nice idea. So when do you plan to do it?"

"I'll get to it in the next couple of days. Although forging the Ring of Fate into a weapon is irreversible, we have no reason to keep it."

Xia De let out a long breath:

"The story of Fate is drawing to a close; every Fate will find its final destination. There are three Fates, but unfortunately Angelica isn't a candidate for Fate. Once the ring is forged, we can keep it for her—it will be useful later on."

After seeing off Luvia, Xia De, together with Claire and Flora—who was studying the ashes of the wolf pack's spirits—went to the Snow Mountain Hall to greet the unfamiliar Old God believers who had come to visit.

Flora was brought along because she knew music well and might be able to help say a few words.

Because they were visiting the "God-Summoner," the bishop of the Music Order came in person—she was a Ten-Ring Arcanist. Accompanying her were a Nine-Ring middle-aged female Arcanist and a Six-Ring young Miss. 【Music Order】 was a relatively small Arcanist group, so these were likely the only two high-ring Arcanists the Order had.

As the local host, Elder Harald still came out to receive them, but once everyone entered the banquet hall, he quickly found an excuse to leave. The Fatu people were still very glad to be able to get in touch with Arcanist groups from all over the world.

"Good afternoon, God-Summoner."

All three Old God believers wore uniform robes, each with a holy emblem pinned to their chest. The middle-aged woman leading them introduced herself:

"I don't know if Professor Daniste mentioned me to you—I am the Order's current bishop, Laura Fischer."

Xia De had come across the surname "Fischer" in Riedon Town.

"Good afternoon, Madam, welcome to visit. The professor has told me about your affairs. Let me introduce—these two are the Great Witches of the Witches' Council, currently my closest allies."

Just as when Miss Ai Si Bo Ge had come to visit last time, the group sat in front of the fireplace to talk.

Madam Fischer did not exchange pleasantries with Xia De for very long. Discovering that the God-Summoner put on no airs at all, and was not arrogant but rather quite approachable, she stated the purpose of her visit.