Chapter 49 Malfoy: What? I'm only slightly worse than Ron?
"Ron actually asked for fairness?" Goyle of Slytherin sneered disdainfully, as if he had heard a joke.
"Who doesn't know that Professor Snape, as our Slytherin Professor, will naturally favor us more?"
Crabbe smiled triumphantly, as if he had already seen Ron's failure.
Pansy also showed a playful smile.
Since the start of the term, she had noticed Ron's excellent performance, but she didn't think Ron had the ability to convince Professor Snape.
In her opinion, Professor Snape was Slytherin's strong backing, and they were his favorites.
The Slytherin students discussed animatedly, all thinking that Ron was bringing humiliation upon himself by daring to demand fairness from Professor Snape.
Meanwhile, the Gryffindor students looked at Ron with questioning faces, some of them muttering, "Is it real or fake? Talking about fairness with Snape? Who does he think he is?"
"Fairness? Talking about fairness in front of Snape? That's wishful thinking!"
"If Ron fails, Professor Snape will surely be even angrier, right?"
Some small wizards from Gryffindor even began to worry about Ron's safety; they knew Professor Snape's temper was not to be trifled with.
"That's Snape..." Ron's roommates gathered together, whispering. They admired Ron's courage but worried about his upcoming predicament.
Harry looked at Ron, his eyes filled with admiration.
He felt that Ron was standing up for him, confronting Professor Snape.
This made Harry's trust in Ron grow even stronger; he believed Ron was a brave person, worthy of his trust.
Hermione was also a little angry about Professor Snape's behavior.
She had been raising her hand, wanting to speak, but Professor Snape had ignored her, which made her feel very unfair.
She thought, how could there be such a Professor, so cold to his students.
After hearing Ron's words, Professor Snape murmured, "Fairness... what a word I haven't heard in a long time."
He thought to himself: You ask for fairness, how naive. When I was at school, who talked about fairness with me?
However, he also knew that Ron being able to pull out the gryffindor sword was enough to prove he had extraordinary talent.
Perhaps, he also had the right to talk about fairness with him.
So, Professor Snape decided to give Ron a chance.
He said coldly, "Alright, then let's speak with strength."
Professor Snape knew Malfoy's strength and didn't believe Ron could surpass Malfoy.
At the same time, he also looked forward to this competition yielding some unexpected results.
The two stood simultaneously in front of the table, ready to begin making the Potion for boils.
The gloom of the dungeon added a sense of solemnity, foreshadowing an intense contest to come.
The Gryffindor and Slytherin students all widened their eyes, watching the two nervously.
They all knew that this competition not only concerned personal honor and dignity but also the prestige and standing between the two houses.
This could undoubtedly be seen as the first direct confrontation between Gryffindor and Slytherin in class.
Ron had a clear understanding of the situation on the field; he knew that the fairness he sought was not just a goal but also key to winning the support of the Gryffindor students.
During the competition, Ron didn't need to display overly flashy techniques, nor did he need to show off skills as he did in Charms Class or Transfiguration Class.
His goal was very clear: he only needed to be one step faster than Malfoy, and that would be enough.
This one-step difference would not only determine victory but also allow him to cleverly hide his secret of making elixirs.
At Professor Snape's command, the two began to make the Potion.
Malfoy's heart was always uneasy; Ron merely standing next to him made him feel intense pressure.
Every time he looked at Ron, he felt the other party was overwhelmingly powerful.
What confused him was that Professor Snape's attitude towards him today was unusually kind, even letting him go on stage to compete with Ron.
Snape was indeed good at protecting the Slytherin students, but not like this today, which was very strange.
Malfoy didn't delve deeper; he exhaled and began to make the Potion in front of him.
He had a strong desire to win, but with Ron as his opponent, he could only do his best.
This Potion required ingredients such as slugs, porcupine quills, and snake fangs.
Malfoy meticulously began to make the Potion according to the requirements on the blackboard. He carefully weighed the ingredients, adjusted the heat, fearing even the slightest mistake.
As for Ron, he could easily master even alchemy, let alone making this simplest Potion.
If he wanted to, he could even invent a Potion on the spot.
His heaven-defying comprehension was like a memory bank, storing all the information Ron understood perfectly in his mind.
While making the Potion, Ron simultaneously shifted a small part of his attention to Malfoy.
Professor Snape stood aside, his gaze moving back and forth between the two.
He found that although Malfoy's speed was initially a bit faster than Ron's, as the Potion making deepened, the gap between them gradually narrowed.
By the third to last step, the crucial moment of adding the porcupine quills to the cauldron, Ronsuddenly sped up, while Malfoy was slightly delayed by a small mistake.
Finally, when Ron's Potion was successfully refined and emitted pink smoke, Malfoy's Potion followed closely, emitting the same smoke.
Anyone with eyes could see that Ron had won this competition.
Hearing that he was only about ten seconds slower than Ron, Malfoy actually felt a hint of satisfaction.
He thought to himself: What? I'm only a little worse than Ron?
This shows that my strength is not bad, and I will definitely work hard to surpass Ron in the future when I have the chance!
Seeing Ron win the competition, the Gryffindor students immediately erupted in thunderous cheers, as if they wanted to overturn the entire classroom.
They excitedly raised their hands, cheered, and shouted Ron's name, celebrating his victory.
Professor Snape stood aside, his face gloomy, his brows tightly furrowed.
He never imagined that Malfoy would only be a little slower than Ron, which made him very displeased.
However, the bet was made, and he had to fulfill his promise.
"Enough, Gryffindor gets 5 points for Ron's performance. Class dismissed, you can go back now." Snapesaid in a deep voice, with a hint of reluctance.
He waved his hand, cutting off the students' cheers, wanting to end this awkward scene as quickly as possible.
However, the students did not leave the classroom immediately; they seemed to be still expecting something.
Professor Snape's brows furrowed even deeper at this sight.
"Why aren't you leaving yet? Do you want me to escort you back?" he said coldly, a hint of impatience in his tone.
Only then did the students get up and leave the classroom, but their gazes remained on Ron, showing him respect.
Snape didn't say much.
But everyone could see that Ron had succeeded; he had used his strength and words to make Professor Snape, known for his strictness, yield.
The Slytherin students, on the other hand, had expressions of unwillingness to admit defeat; they felt very resentful seeing Ron only a little faster than Malfoy.
At the same time, they also understood that Ron had already won, and there was no point in dwelling on it.
Led by Malfoy, they snorted and turned to leave the classroom.
After all the students had left the classroom, Professor Snape sat on the podium, lost in thought for a long time.
He had always been like a snake dwelling in a cave, living in this dark dungeon. At this moment, his heart was filled with complex emotions.
The sun gradually moved to the center, and sunlight passed through the dungeon window, through the dust in the air, and shone on Snape.
He raised his hand, as if caressing the sunlight, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
"It's sunlight, it's been a long time since I've seen it..." he murmured.
...
Today was Friday, all classes had ended, and the Potion Class in the morning was the last class of the day, with the afternoon being a rare free time.
Harry walked down the corridor, still beaming with excitement. He walked up to Ron and said gratefully:
"Ron, I really have to thank you today."
Ron gently shook his head and replied indifferently, "You should thank Professor Snape."
After speaking, he fell into thought, pondering when the conflict between Harry and Snape would finally be resolved.
Harry was a little confused by Ron's words. He saw Ron silent and did not press further.
He then brought up another matter: "Hagrid invited us to his hut, would you like to come along?"
Ron's heart stirred when he heard Hagrid's name.
He knew Hagrid had a deep love and understanding of magical creatures, and he himself was quite interested in this area.
He thought to himself: I just happen to owe Hagrid a favor, and I might as well go see if I can get something from Hagrid.
So, Ron smiled and replied, "Alright, let's go together then."
Chapter 50 Hagrid's Hut, Crazy Sheep Grabbing
The afternoon sun was exceptionally bright, its golden rays bathing every corner of Hogwarts.
Ron and Harry walked side-by-side, leaving the Castle, crossing the wide grounds, and heading towards Hagrid's hut at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Hagrid's hut was nestled at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, surrounded by lush trees and the occasional cries of wild beasts.
In front of the hut, a crude crossbow lay quietly, and a pair of mud-stained rubber boots were casually placed nearby.
Ron gently knocked on the door, and immediately a tense struggle and a few low barks came from inside, clearly Hagrid's pet—the large Mastiff, Fang—was throwing a tantrum.
Following this, Hagrid's rough and strong voice boomed, "Back, Fang, back."
A moment later, the hut door slowly opened, and Hagrid's face, covered in a thick beard, appeared before them.
His tall stature almost filled the entire doorframe; his three-meter height made him look like a Giant.
Hagrid warmly invited them inside, holding Fang by the collar to prevent him from causing more trouble.
Although the interior of the hut was simple, it was full of life.
Hams and pheasants hung from the ceiling, emitting an enticing aroma.
A roaring fire burned in the fireplace, and a copper kettle slowly boiled water on the hearth, making a "gurgle gurgle" sound.
In front of the fire was a huge wooden table and several wooden chairs, clearly made by Hagrid himself.
In the corner, a large bed was covered with a quilt pieced together from various scraps of fabric.
"Make yourselves at home, don't be shy," Hagrid said warmly, gently releasing Fang's collar.
Fang, the black Mastiff, immediately walked over to Ron, quietly leaning against his leg, his eyes showing an unprecedented docility.
Ron curiously observed Fang, who was usually lively and active, secretly wondering.
It must be his animal affinity at work.
At this moment, Fang was unusually calm, completely different from his usual personality.
Ron gently stroked Fang's head.
Fang seemed to greatly enjoy the touch, whimpering contentedly twice and affectionately rubbing against Ron's leg.
Hagrid was busy nearby, pouring freshly boiled water into a teapot while neatly arranging rock cakes on a plate.
He noticed Fang's unusual quietness today and couldn't help but ask, "Why is Fang so quiet today? He's usually very boisterous."
Harry introduced, "This is Ron, my friend."
Watching Ron and Fang interact, he couldn't resist reaching out to pet Fang.
Fang seemed to like Harry too, turning his head and excitedly licking Harry several times.
Hagrid glanced at Ron, noticing his striking red hair and freckles.
He smiled and said, "Oh, another Weasley boy, eh? I remember your two older brothers when they were little, I had a hard time chasing them out of the Forbidden Forest."
After speaking, Hagrid brought the prepared biscuits and water to the table, sternly admonishing, "Ron, don't even think about exploring the Forbidden Forest. It's not a fun place."
Ron's heart suddenly jumped; he thought to himself, 'How did you know I was going to the Forbidden Forest later?'
But he showed no unusual expression on his face, merely responding awkwardly, "
I'm not like my two brothers; I'm very well-behaved."
Harry listened, somewhat speechless, thinking, 'Who would believe that?'
The two ate crispy rock cakes while chatting with Hagrid.
Harry couldn't help but ask the question on his mind: "Hagrid, what exactly happened with the Gringotts break-in?"
Hagrid grunted, seemingly evasive about the question.
Ron looked at Hagrid's honest expression and thought, 'He really is someone who can keep a secret.'
To change the subject, Ron asked, "Hagrid, I've always been very curious about magical creatures. Can you tell us about them?"
He secretly calculated: Since he couldn't get the Gringotts secret from Hagrid, it would be better to start with magical creatures. Besides, he also wanted to go to the Forbidden Forest, so he might as well gather some information about it.
At the mention of magical creatures, Hagrid's eyes immediately lit up.
He spoke endlessly about the habits and characteristics of various magical creatures.
As he spoke, he even pulled out a thick book from his pocket—'Monsters and Their Origins.'
"This book contains a lot of information and stories about magical creatures. If you're interested, you can borrow it to read," Hagrid enthusiastically recommended to them.
Ron's gaze sharpened; he recognized the author of the book—Newt Scamander.
Wasn't this the famous Magizoologist, traveler, and travel writer?
And the revised edition of this book should be the widely circulated 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' in the magic world.
Newt Scamander was renowned for his in-depth research into magical creatures and had even teamed up with Albus Dumbledore to successfully curb Grindelwald, preventing the chaos he caused in the magic world.
Ron, with a smile on his face, said to Hagrid, "Hagrid, can I borrow this book?"
He thought to himself: He has already mastered the God-level Beast Control Technique, and to better utilize this skill, he must acquire more knowledge about magical creatures.
In his eyes, alchemy and artifact forging were also valuable skills, but currently, he only possessed them at a rudimentary stage, far from mastery.
The current stage was about leveraging strengths and compensating for weaknesses.
Ron also realized that he must maintain a good relationship with Hagrid.
As the Keeper of Hogwarts, Hagrid's knowledge of the Forbidden Forest was unparalleled.
If he could get his help and guidance, Ron believed he would be able to explore the mysteries of the Forbidden Forest more deeply in the future.
Perhaps he might even have the chance to meet the legendary Newt Scamander.
Hagrid looked at Ron's expectant eyes and couldn't help but feel delighted. He hadn't expected a first-year student to be so interested in magical creatures.
So, he laughed heartily and said, "If you like it so much, then you can borrow it!" With that, he handed the book 'Monsters and Their Origins' to Ron.
Ron, flipping through the book, casually asked, "What magical creatures are in the Forbidden Forestthen?"
Upon hearing this, Hagrid immediately began to introduce them with great enthusiasm:
"There are quite a few magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest: Acromantulas, Thestrals, Centaurs, Unicorns, and even more terrifying Ghouls…"
Listening to Hagrid's narration, Ron secretly rejoiced.
He hadn't expected Hagrid to reveal the information about the Forbidden Forest so readily; it was truly great!
He had been 'milking' Hagrid a lot lately, which felt a bit bad.
Now, he could explore the Forbidden Forest with more specific targets.
Ron also had a bold idea: if he could build a cave dwelling in the Forbidden Forest, he could better keep his secrets.
The three chatted for a while longer, and Hagrid stuffed the remaining rock cakes into Harry and Ron's pockets.
Then, the two waved goodbye to Hagrid and set off on their way back to the Castle.
By the time they walked out of Hagrid's hut, night had already fallen.
The early autumn night was cool and pleasant, with starlight scattered across the land.
A glint flashed in Ron's eyes. He turned to Harry and said, "Harry, do you want to go see the Forbidden Forest?"
Chapter 51: Heading to the Forbidden Forest, the Nifflers actually have Pixiu bloodline?!
Ron's trip to the Forbidden Forest this time was not just a simple adventure; he had multiple objectives.
The primary task was to gather rare materials related to the "Soul Binding" spell.
These materials included tokens, incense, altar structures, and suppression objects.
For the tokens and altar, Ron planned to use local materials, attempting to craft them from wood, iron, or stone found in the Forbidden Forest.
This seemed simple, but in practice, it required extremely high craftsmanship and patience.
As for the incense, Ron already had a method for making it in his mind, but the steps were intricate, requiring careful blending of various materials and refining in a specific environment.
He knew that only by doing so could he produce truly effective incense.
Regarding the suppression object, Ron had already decided to use the gryffindor sword.
This sword had a long history, immense power, and was certainly qualified.
However, the thought of having to personally craft all the other materials besides the suppression object filled Ron with a sense of frustration.
It was like studying materials engineering, where every step had to be meticulous and every detail carefully considered.
Ron couldn't help but smile wryly, "This is too difficult!"
Besides collecting materials for "Soul Binding," Ron had another important task: to map the Forbidden Forest.
He knew that a map was crucial for exploration, especially in such an unfamiliar and dangerous place.
Only by understanding the detailed layout and topographical features of the Forbidden Forest could he better avoid risks and find his objectives.
Finally, Ron had one more important goal, which was to find a suitable place in the Forbidden Forest to build his own cave dwelling.
In the world of cultivators, wealth, techniques, companions, and land are considered the four essential elements.
Among them, "land" refers to the cultivator's cave dwelling. A good cave dwelling can provide a safe cultivation environment and also help the cultivator better absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth, accelerating the cultivation process.
When Ron suggested going to the Forbidden Forest, Harry agreed without hesitation.
He asked curiously, "Should we call Hermione and them to come along?"
Ron thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No need for now. This time, our main focus is on collecting materials and gathering information. We'll invite them next time."
He trusted Harry implicitly and wasn't worried that he would reveal his secrets.
Moreover, Harry had already made a "Heavenly Dao Oath," which made Ron even more at ease.
Harry was now considered half a cultivator, and he could accept small matters like skipping dinner.
The two patiently lurked outside the Castle, waiting for nightfall.
When it was completely dark, they quietly stepped into the Forbidden Forest, which was shrouded in thick fog.
Ron's cultivation had already reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, and his perception ability was extremely keen, allowing him to easily avoid Hagrid's sight and ensure their actions went undetected.
From the outside, the Forbidden Forest looked like a deep and mysterious dark forest.
It was enveloped in a thick mist.
Ron and Harry cautiously stepped on branches and fallen leaves, moving deeper into it.
Their footsteps echoed in the silent forest, sounding exceptionally clear.
Looking up, the leaves above were dense and luxuriant, forming a natural canopy.
Beneath this canopy, they couldn't see the moon and stars in the sky, only the silhouettes of the surrounding trees and faint sounds from afar.
As soon as Ron stepped into the Forbidden Forest, he immediately felt a spiritual energy that was even more vast and pure than that in Hogwarts Castle.
This spiritual energy seemed omnipresent, permeating every inch of the air, making one feel as if they were in an ocean of spiritual energy.
Ron took a deep breath, feeling this spiritual energy flowing through his body, as if every cell was cheering.
"What a wonderful place," Ron couldn't help but exclaim.
No wonder many magical creatures chose to live here; it truly was a unique place.
"Ah? Big Brother Ron, aren't you scared?" Harry asked nervously, looking at the dark trees around them.
He held his wand, using the Lumos spell, and the faint point of light appeared exceptionally small in the entire forest.
"What's there to be afraid of? This is what makes it interesting!" Ron replied with a smile, while surveying his surroundings.
Standing in the Forbidden Forest, a strange feeling surged through Ron.
He felt as if the entire Forbidden Forest was breathing, and every tree, every leaf, seemed to be full of life.
This feeling did not come from the many magical creatures within the Forbidden Forest, but rather from a deep intuition within him.
It made him feel that the Forbidden Forest was not just a forest.
It was more like a giant, living organism.
This feeling made Ron feel very strange.
"Eh? This is a Niffler!" Ron's attention was suddenly drawn to a small creature under a nearby tree.
The creature looked like a platypus, covered in black fur, with a long snout, exactly as described in their textbooks.
Nifflers usually lived in burrows twenty feet underground, but this one appeared on the surface, which seemed a bit unusual.
Ron and Harry walked over curiously, observing the little Niffler carefully.
It seemed to have just been weaned, making squeaking sounds, appearing somewhat pitiful and helpless.
Harry looked at it, a feeling of pity welling up in his heart.
"Why don't we take it with us?" Harry suggested, "I remember Nifflers have treasure-hunting abilities. Maybe it will come in handy later."
Ron nodded, and casually checked the Niffler's panel.
Name: None
Species: Niffler
Level: None
Bloodline: pixiu bloodline purity 0.001%
Ron's heart rejoiced: he had just arrived in the Forbidden Forest and already found such a great treasure?!
This little Niffler actually possessed the pixiu bloodline, although the purity was extremely low, it was already surprising enough.
Pixiu, that was a legendary auspicious beast, symbolizing attracting wealth and treasures.
And Nifflers could hunt for treasure; these two combined were simply a match made in heaven.
Ron secretly looked forward to it, perhaps this little Niffler would bring him a big surprise when it grew up.
Ron carefully reached out and gently touched the little Niffler.
His animal affinity ability instantly activated, and the little Niffler seemed to feel Ron's goodwill, immediately stopping its cries.
Ron gently picked it up and put it into his pocket, leaving a gap for it to breathe.
Ron carefully calculated the use of this little Niffler in his mind.
At school, it might become a great tool for him to investigate information.
Its small size made it difficult for people to notice, allowing it to silently move through various corners, collecting information that was usually difficult to obtain.
This was undoubtedly a huge help to him.
Isn't this much better than the useless and disgusting rat Scabbers?
Ron no longer hesitated and decided to try using his God-level Beast Control Technique to establish a connection with this little Niffler.
He concentrated, slowly merging a wisp of his sub-soul into the Niffler's mind, forming a unique divine soul imprint.
Although this process seemed simple, it actually required extremely high mental power and beast control skills.
With the formation of the divine soul imprint, Ron felt a wonderful connection established between himself and the little Niffler.
He could clearly feel the Niffler's emotions and state.
At the same time, he was also certain that this little Niffler was now completely loyal to him, its life and death entirely at his command.
Just as Ron was immersed in the joy of establishing a connection with the Niffler, an abrupt voice sounded behind him and Harry.
"Who are you?"
Chapter 52 Merlin: Is that you, King Arthur?
Hearing this sound, Harry's heart tightened. He nervously looked around, trying to find the source of the sound.
Ron, however, remained calm; he had long anticipated such a situation.
Those who could walk freely and unimpeded in the Forbidden Forest were already rare.
And those who could speak human language further narrowed the scope.
Ron already had the answer in his heart. He knew that what they were facing at this moment was a Centaur.
Centaurs are a unique race, their fur resembling that of horses, with various colors from dark to light.
They possess the body of a horse, while their torso, arms, and head are human-like.
They are not half-human, half-beast, but a completely independent species, with their own culture and traditions.
Ron slowly turned around, and Harry, seeing this, quickly followed suit.
Their gaze fell upon the Centaur in front of them.
He had black fur and a majestic stature, giving off an imposing aura.
The Centaur's face was adorned with a full beard, making him appear even wilder and prouder.
"So, it's the little brats from Hogwarts," the Centaur said with a cruel laugh.
His eyes revealed disdain and contempt, "Didn't your Principal tell you not to play in the Forbidden Forest?"
Ron did not immediately answer the Centaur's question. A strong sense of curiosity surged within him.
He decided to first check the Centaur's specific information to better handle the situation that would unfold.
Ron focused his mind, and a transparent panel gradually appeared before the Centaur.
Name: Bane
Race: Centaur
Level: Foundation Establishment Initial Stage
Bloodline: Centaur Bloodline
Ron was startled. He hadn't expected this Centaur's strength to reach the Foundation Establishment Initial Stage!
He knew that the difference between foundation building and Qi Refining was not just a little!
A foundation building existence was enough to serve as an Old Ancestor in a family.
Ron recalled his observations of the realms of Wizards and Magical Beasts since he arrived in this world.
He found that the Wizard's realm often had a "pseudo" prefix.
For example, their Flying Class Professor Hooch.
She was a Level 70 Wizard, but at the same time, she was only in the Pseudo Core Formation Realm.
This meant that although she possessed the magic power of the Core Formation Realm, she did not have the matching physical strength and cultivation.
The strength of Magical Beasts, however, was genuine.
For example, Cerberus Fluffy, whom they encountered before, had the strength of the Late Qi Refining Stage, without any embellishment or exaggeration.
Ron couldn't help but wonder:
Does this mean that the cultivation methods of humans and other species are different?
He fell into deep thought.
Ron also knew that now was not the time to ponder this question; there was still an Foundation Establishment Initial Stage Centaur to deal with.
The giant bow Bane held in his hand made Ron wary. If that arrow were to be shot, he and Harry would probably be unable to bear it.
He took a deep breath, intending to treat him with courtesy first, while secretly employing his Animal Affinity.
"Hello, we're here to find something," Ron tried to keep his tone calm, while motioning to Harry to agree.
Harry immediately understood and nodded, indicating his agreement with Ron's statement.
However, Bane did not give them a good look.
He sneered, seemingly displeased with Ron's answer. "Find something? Hmph, you kid still have the courage to talk to me, scram, don't come here!"
Ron's heart sank. He knew things were not developing as he had expected.
He didn't give up and decided to try again. "Can't you give us a little chance?"
This time, Bane's response was even more brutal.
"Get out of here! The Forbidden Forest doesn't welcome humans!" With that, he raised the bow in his hand and shot an arrow next to Ron.
"Clang!"
The arrow shot out like lightning, fiercely embedding itself in the open ground next to Ron.
Its fletching was still shaking, buzzing, as if warning them.
Ron felt a strong shock. If this arrow had hit them, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Ron tried to use Animal Affinity to influence Bane, but found it had no effect.
He then realized that Centaurs did not seem to be within the scope of animals, which rendered his ability useless.
Since he had been polite first, and the Centaur was so rude and even shot an arrow, he no longer needed to be polite.
Ron gently took the Niffler out of his pocket and carefully placed it in Harry's hand.
He instructed, "Take good care of the Niffler."
Harry took the Niffler, looking at Ron with a worried expression:
"Ron, if you really can't win, run. Don't be reckless."
He knew the power of that arrow just now. The Centaur's strength was clearly far above CerberusFluffy, which made him feel very uneasy about the impending conflict.
Ron didn't care; a hint of excitement appeared on his face instead.
"It doesn't matter, I'll make a move."
The opponent was an Foundation Establishment Initial Stage Centaur, and he was at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.
There was a whole major realm difference.
But so what?
With his many trump cards, it would be a pity not to try them out.
If he kept pushing through without any challenge.
That would be too boring.
Ron did not intend to test the opponent's strength with his physical body first, but instead directly summoned the gryffindor sword.
He held it tightly in his hand; the sword emitted a faint glow, as if awaiting the coming battle.
Bane, the Centaur, saw Ron's actions and pawed the ground twice with his hooves, making a series of sounds.
He burst into laughter, his voice full of mockery.
"Oh, oh, oh, a tiny human dares to resist, you're truly brave," he said, not taking Ron seriously.
"With your small frame, can you withstand this arrow of mine?" Bane continued to mock, his face full of disdain.
In his opinion, humans were all weak beings, not worth mentioning at all.
Ever since he started living in the Forbidden Forest, he only feared one person—Headmaster Dumbledore.
However, Headmaster Dumbledore usually appeared amiable, so Bane was no longer so afraid of him.
A hint of contempt flashed in Bane's eyes, and he quickly drew his bow and shot an arrow.
The arrow sliced through the air, emitting a sharp whistle, and shot towards Ron like lightning.
Ron moved, performing the Swimming Dragon Body Technique. His body drew a graceful arc in the air, cleverly avoiding the arrow's attack.
He did not stop, but using the agility of his movement technique, he charged rapidly towards Bane with his long sword.
Bane's expression changed upon seeing this. He retreated while continuously drawing his bowstring, shooting more arrows.
Arrows rained down on Ron like a dense downpour, attempting to force him back.
However, Ron was like a fish in water, moving freely through the gaps between the arrows.
He nimbly dodged every arrow, while continuously closing in on Bane.
At first, Ron could easily cope.
As Bane's arrow-shooting speed became faster and faster, he gradually felt a bit overwhelmed.
The strength of the Foundation Establishment Initial Stage was indeed powerful. Ron had the cultivation of the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, but he seemed so vulnerable in front of Bane.
He watched Bane retreat while continuously shooting arrows, and couldn't help but feel a little helpless.
"Good fellow, he can even 'walk A'!" Ron gave a wry smile.
A smile was on his face, but his heart grew more vigilant.
He knew that he had to come up with a countermeasure as soon as possible, otherwise, he might very likely lose this battle.
It was at this critical moment.
A long arrow, like a venomous snake, stood out from the dense rain of arrows, aiming straight for Ron's chest.
Bane looked at this arrow, a triumphant smile on his face, and laughed wildly:
"Let's see how you dodge this! Haha, even if Dumbledore asks, I'll have a way to respond!"
Ron's heart tightened. He felt the threat of this arrow and knew he had nowhere to hide.
The surrounding arrows were airtight, forming deadly barriers.
He smiled bitterly, knowing he was in a desperate situation.
Even if he used "False Form" to transform into a Azure Dragon, there would be no chance.
Because the Azure Dragon he transformed into was also only at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, unable to withstand the attack of the Foundation Establishment Initial Stage.
"It seems I've overplayed my hand. Then I can only use this move."
Ron muttered in his heart, quickly taking out the merlin card with his left hand.
He had obtained it when opening cards on the train before, and had never used it.
"Summon God!" Ron whispered.
At the same time, he resolutely allowed the fatal long arrow to pierce his chest, fiercely embedding itself into the ground.
The moment the arrow pierced his body, blood spurted out, staining the surrounding ground a dazzling red.
Bane, seeing this, sneered even more mockingly: "Let's see what you can do!"
Harry witnessed this scene, his heart aching. He cried out Ron's name, his voice filled with endless worry and fear.
Just at this moment, a miracle happened.
A dazzling white light suddenly erupted from Ron's body, instantly illuminating the entire Forbidden Forest.
Within the white light, a tall figure gradually condensed into form.
He wore a pointed hat and a long robe, emanating an indescribable noble aura.
This newly formed figure suddenly exclaimed in surprise:
"Is that you, King Arthur?"
Chapter 53: Inviting the Spirit: Melee Mage Merlin
Ron was deeply impaled to the ground by a long arrow, his mind instantly plunged into chaos, and he fell unconscious.
In the endless darkness, a thought flashed through his mind: Is this the end of my journey?
Just as his consciousness gradually blurred.
In a daze, a figure wearing a wizard's robe and a pointed wizard's hat appeared before Ron.
"Is that you, King Arthur?" The wizard bowed respectfully.
A strange confusion welled up in Ron's heart: King Arthur? That was a figure from over a thousand years ago!
Could this wizard in front of him be the legendary Merlin?
A hint of pleasant surprise arose in Ron's heart: Had his ritual of inviting a god to possess him truly succeeded?
What puzzled Ron even more was why Merlin would mistake him for King Arthur.
His heart was full of questions, but then he thought, Merlin has already mistaken him.
He could only go with the flow and let the mistake stand.
Ron quickly adjusted his mindset, feigning composure as he replied, "Merlin, it is I."
Upon hearing this, a look of joy immediately appeared on Merlin's face.
He asked eagerly, "Excellent, My King. Who wounded you so severely?"
A surge of pleasant surprise filled Ron's heart; Merlin, the wizard hailed as the most powerful of all time, was standing before him.
What followed was deep worry: If Merlin were to discover later that he was not the true King Arthur, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Thinking of this, Ron couldn't help but shiver.
But now Ron had no way out; he could only brace himself and continue the act.
He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound authoritative and powerful:
"It was merely some short-sighted wretch, alas, I have lost all my abilities and could not stop him. Now that I am in distress, I hope Merlin will save me from this peril."
After hearing this, Merlin couldn't help but sigh:
"My King should have rested in Avalon, yet now he has lost all his abilities. And I am also trapped by a giant stone, with only the power of my soul remaining. So be it, let me lend My King a hand."
Ron grew even more puzzled: Avalon? What exactly does that mean? It seems after he escapes this danger, he needs to quickly go to the library and look it up.
Before Merlin's words finished, he transformed into a brilliant white light, instantly merging into Ron's body.
At the same time, the external scene began to undergo a marvelous change.
Ron's body was enveloped by a mysterious power, and gradually, Merlin's image flickered on him, exuding an aura of majesty and profundity.
Bane, the Centaur, seeing this, couldn't help but burst into laughter: "Hmph, you Hogwarts students, you're full of tricks. But today, even if you call that old man Merlin here, you won't escape from my grasp."
He cast a disdainful glance at the so-called wizard before him.
Because in his perception, this so-called wizard had no magical fluctuations whatsoever, so he naturally didn't take him seriously.
Harry, on the other hand, watched the scene before him, dumbfounded.
His heart was full of curiosity: Who was this purple-robed old man? Why did he suddenly appear here?
However, from the current situation, this seemed to be a good thing for Ron.
As Merlin merged, the wounds on Ron's body began to heal at an astonishing speed.
Ron's attire also underwent a drastic change.
His Gryffindor robe gradually faded, replaced by a violet robe adorned with exquisite golden embroidery, exuding an air of nobility and mystery.
Even more miraculously, Ron's hair color also began to change.
From its original fiery red, it gradually transformed into dazzling gold. His physique also became taller and more imposing, as if he were a born king.
Even his ears became pointed elven ears, adding a touch of exotic charm.
Ron slowly stood up, and with a gentle pull, the long arrow in his body fell out, casually discarded on the ground.
As the arrow detached, the wound on his chest healed rapidly at a visible rate, as if he had never been injured.
Ron felt a surge of surprise, realizing that his strength was also gradually increasing with this miraculous transformation.
His cultivation, which had previously been at the sixth level of Qi Condensation, was now continuously climbing.
Qi Condensation seventh level, Qi Condensation eighth level… until it broke through the limits of Qi Condensation, reaching a completely new realm.
However, this was not the end.
Foundation Establishment first level, Foundation Establishment second level… Foundation Establishment tenth level, his strength was continuously solidifying and strengthening.
Finally, he even broke through the limits of Foundation Establishment, reaching the first level of Golden Core realm!
The aura of the first level of Golden Core gradually manifested on Ron, then gradually stabilized.
Ron felt the surging power within his body, his heart filled with shock and joy.
He thought: This body is too strong! Far more powerful than his previous body by several times! Is this the power of inviting a god to possess one?
Ron couldn't help but be filled with anticipation for the future.
He thought, if he could acquire more cards in the future, wouldn't he become even more powerful?
This possibility made him incredibly excited.
Now, the situation had reversed.
Ron, who had seemed weak before Bane, the Centaur, now possessed the strength to crush him.
Bane, the Centaur, at the Foundation Establishment realm, was like an ant before Ron's Golden Core strength.
"Heh heh, done acting? Are you a drama student? Running here to perform a stage play?"
Bane, the Centaur, looked at the refreshed Ron, openly sneering.
He had always held a disdainful attitude towards humans.
Even though Ron's appearance had undergone drastic changes, he remained unconcerned.
Harry, meanwhile, stared unblinkingly at Ron, his eyes gleaming with admiration.
"This is too cool! He's just like a great wizard from a painting!"
His heart was completely captivated by Ron's heroic demeanor, and he had become Ron's devoted fan.
Ron, however, paid no attention to the Centaur's taunts. He chuckled lightly, thinking: This Centaur talks too much.
He didn't want to waste any more time entangled with the Centaur, so he drew his sword and charged forward.
After Merlin's soul merged into his body, Ron not only gained immense power but also comprehended a new divine ability of Nebula Swordplay—Starry Transformation.
Ron, however, had a question: Why didn't he learn Merlin's spells from Merlin?
This made him very curious.
After all, as an ancient powerful being, Merlin should have many rare spells.
Ron couldn't help but guess that perhaps Merlin's current soul was incomplete, causing him to have forgotten many spells.
Seeing Ron's figure approaching him like a ghost.
Bane, the Centaur, curled his lips into a disdainful smile, continuing to calmly shoot arrows at Ron.
These arrows seemed to have radar, once again accurately shooting towards Ron.
"Hmph, is that all you've got? Truly nothing special!"
Bane, the Centaur, became even more arrogant, already considering Ron to be in the palm of his hand.
In the very next moment, Ron's figure suddenly vanished into thin air, replaced by a hazy nebula mist.
These nebula mists spread through the air like an illusion, dazzling and hard to distinguish.
"Where is he? Where exactly is he?"
Bane, the Centaur's, heart began to grow anxious and tense.
His usually calm eyes were now filled with confusion and unease.
He looked around, trying to find Ron's tracks, but found nothing.
"Haha, he's behind you, you little brat!"
Ron's playful laughter suddenly rang out behind Bane, the Centaur.
Bane's pupils suddenly dilated, how could this be?
He spun around abruptly, only to see a sword light slash across the starry sky, heading straight for him!
Chapter 54: Conferring the Knights of the Round Table?
"Spare me!" Bane, the Centaur, shrieked in terror.
He felt the sharp aura emanating from Ron's sword. With just a little more force, he would instantly be reduced to nothing, not even a speck of dust remaining.
Ron ignored Bane's pleas for mercy. He coldly raised the sword in his hand, preparing to strike down without hesitation.
Now he knows to beg for mercy? What was he doing earlier?
Ron sneered inwardly. He had long been displeased with Bane's arrogance, so naturally, he wouldn't show any mercy now.
"Too late!"
Ron's furious roar, like a thunderous blow, completely shattered Bane's spirit.
The sword light in front of him grew brighter and brighter, a vast radiance enveloping him, threatening to swallow him whole.
After the light dissipated, only darkness remained before Bane's eyes.
He felt his life force rapidly draining, and his body began to feel light, as if it could dissipate into the air at any moment.
The airflow generated by Ron's sword strike spread outwards from his location.
Trees swayed, leaves fluttered down, and birds, startled, flew away into the distance.
The surrounding animals also sensed this powerful aura and scattered in all directions, fearing to be caught in its wake.
"Is this the power of the Golden Core stage? It's truly astonishing. I only used less than ten percent of my strength, yet I could easily instantly kill a foundation building Centaur."
Ron slowly descended from the sky, feeling the surging spiritual energy within him, his heart filled with amazement.
As the time for the 'Divine Summoning Technique' ended, Ron's figure gradually returned to its original appearance.
He lowered his head to check his physical condition.
He was somewhat surprised to find that the 'Divine Summoning Technique' did not draw upon his own power, but relied entirely on the power contained within the merlin card.
Just then, a merlin card slowly floated down from the air. It was the merlin card that had helped him defeat the Centaur earlier.
The merlin card now appeared dim and lusterless, clearly because all the spiritual energy within it had been depleted.
Ron gazed at the faded merlin card, a hint of worry in his heart.
He didn't know how long it would take for this merlin card to recharge, nor did he know if he could face the upcoming challenges without the support of the merlin card's power.
At this moment, Merlin's voice suddenly echoed in Ron's mind:
"Please, my King, quickly confer the Round Table Knight. I will wait for you in the future."
Then the voice dissipated into nothingness, as if it had never been there.
This sudden voice left Ron somewhat stunned.
He thought to himself: Why is he telling me to confer the Round Table Knight? Does this old man really think I'm King Arthur?
But I don't even know how to confer a Knight, and you're just telling me to do it?
How can I confer a Knight?
Ron felt confused and perplexed.
Merlin, that old man, was always like a riddle, never explaining anything clearly to him.
Ron knew that if he wanted to understand the truth of all this, he would have to visit the library to search for relevant information and clues.
Thus, Ron resolved that upon his return, he would definitely clarify the matters of the Round Table Knight and Avalon.
Harry watched Ron easily defeat the Centaur and excitedly ran towards him.
"Ron, you defeated the Centaur just like that? That's amazing!" he said with an expression of admiration.
Ron waved his hand dismissively, "It's a piece of cake, nothing to make a fuss about."
However, Harry's confusion did not dissipate.
"Ron, why did you suddenly change just now? It was like your whole body became much taller and more imposing."
Ron was also a bit confused in his heart; he didn't quite understand why either.
But he didn't want to tell Harry directly that he didn't know, so he spoke in a profound manner:
"Harry, this is an ancient mysterious inheritance; it's not something that can be explained clearly in a short time. When your studies progress later, I will naturally teach it to you."
While telling Harry, Ron also painted a grand vision for him.
Listening to Ron's words, a glimmer of anticipation flashed in Harry's eyes.
"Thank you, Big Brother Ron, but the Centaur isn't dead, is he?"
"I left him with a breath just now; I didn't kill him directly."
Ron naturally wouldn't let the Centaur die just like that; he still had a use for him.
Ron led Harry slowly to the unconscious Centaur, who lay weakly on the ground, lifeless.
The once lush grass around them had become barren due to the powerful airwave released by Ron's previous sword strike, not a single blade of grass remaining.
Fortunately, Ron had held back at the last moment, not putting the Centaur to death.
At this moment, a strong sense of curiosity welled up in Ron's heart.
He wanted to test if his God-level Beast Control Technique would be effective on this Centaur.
After all, his previous attempt to activate his animal affinity had not succeeded.
Ron took a deep breath and carefully integrated a wisp of his divine soul into the Centaur's mind.
In that instant, Ron was surprised to find that he had succeeded!
A clear divine soul imprint appeared in the Centaur's mind.
This meant that Ron had now successfully controlled three spirit beasts.
They were Cerberus, Bane the Centaur, and the Niffler.
Ron pulled a rejuvenation pill from his pocket and gently placed it into Bane's mouth.
As the pill went down, Bane's breathing gradually stabilized. After a while, he slowly opened his eyes.
He slowly stood up, his gaze revealing reverence and submission towards Ron.
"Greetings, my Lord." Bane, the Centaur, bowed his head in deference, his loyalty to Ron now deeply imprinted in his mind.
"Thank you, Master, for saving my life."
At this moment, Bane was as docile as if he had become a different person, completely unlike his arrogant and overbearing demeanor from before.
Ron nodded slightly, exuding the dignified aura of a superior.
"Tell me what you know about the Forbidden Forest map."
Bane naturally dared not conceal anything and recounted all the map information he knew to Ron in detail.
Ron listened carefully, committing each piece of information to memory.
"Master, none of us dare to go deeper into the Forbidden Forest," Bane said respectfully.
"It is said that the most terrifying existence in the world resides there, and even we Centaurs hold it in awe."
"Most terrifying?" A hint of curiosity arose in Ron's heart.
An existence that even Centaurs called terrifying must be extraordinary.
However, he didn't plan to go there now; that would be akin to seeking death.
If it weren't for Merlin's help, he wouldn't even be able to defeat a Centaur.
...
Meanwhile, in the deepest part of the Forbidden Forest, a terrifying aura suddenly surged.
There was a tremendous commotion, as if a great dragon had overturned the earth.
"Who dares disturb my rest?"
A deep, majestic voice echoed from the depths of the Forbidden Forest.
Of course, Ron and his companions were unaware of these events.
Chapter 55: Subduing the Night Star
After listening to Bane's explanation of the Forbidden Forest, Ron gained a deeper understanding of this forest.
The vastness of the Forbidden Forest far exceeded his imagination; it wasn't as small as it appeared on the outside, but rather like a bottomless maze, full of unknowns.
Bane told Ron that even the Centaurs who had lived there for a long time still had large areas they had not explored.
What they knew was merely the tip of the iceberg of the Forbidden Forest's massive secret realm.
This fact deeply shocked Ron; he had originally thought the Forbidden Forest was just a woods inhabited by many magical creatures, never expecting so many secrets to be hidden within it.
"So, can I understand the Forbidden Forest as a secret realm full of unknowns and dangers?" Ronconfirmed with Bane.
Bane nodded respectfully, "That's right, Master, you can understand it that way. Even our tribal chief knows very little about the entirety of the Forbidden Forest. The depths of this forest hide too many powers and existences that we cannot comprehend."
Ron took a deep breath, a strong sense of curiosity and desire for exploration surging within him.
He wanted to know what was hidden deep within the Forbidden Forest, and at the same time, he knew it must be full of danger.
So, he asked Bane: "Do you know of any places in the Forbidden Forest that are rarely visited and relatively safe?"
Bane pondered for a moment, then respectfully replied: "Of course, Master. To my knowledge, there are indeed a few places in the Forbidden Forest that are rarely visited and relatively safe. These places are areas that Centaurs usually avoid because they have special energy fields or powerful creatures guarding them, making it difficult for humans and other creatures to approach."
Ron's heart stirred upon hearing this; this was what he needed.
He needed to find a place in the Forbidden Forest that was both safe and not easily discovered to establish his cave dwelling.
He believed Bane would not play tricks, as the Centaur's life and death were now entirely in his hands.
"Then let's go to the habitat of the weakest creature," Ron said after a moment of thought.
Ron thought to himself: Challenging the Centaur just now was already very risky, so it's better to choose the weakest one now. After subduing it, it can also serve as a guard for his cave dwelling.
"Master, the Acromantula's territory is a good choice," Bane suggested respectfully.
"Good, you lead the way," Ron commanded.
So, Bane trotted on all fours, walking lightly on the leaf-strewn path, heading towards the depths of the Forbidden Forest.
Ron and Harry followed closely behind, maintaining an appropriate distance.
A sudden impulse surged within Ron to try riding on the Centaur's back to experience it, but he quickly dismissed the idea, finding it a bit strange.
As they walked, Ron observed their surroundings.
They had only walked a few steps when they encountered magical creatures that were usually rare to see.
Not far away, a nest of Ashwinder eggs lay quietly in the grass.
These Ashwinders are creatures born from magical fire; they emerge from the ashes of flames and slither to dark corners to lay their eggs.
Their lives are short, lasting only an hour to leave their mark on this world.
"It seems an animal used magical fire here just now," Ron said thoughtfully.
"Master is truly knowledgeable," Bane complimented from the side.
"Heh heh, if your attitude just now had been as respectful as it is now, you wouldn't have suffered that pain," Ron chuckled, a hint of playfulness in his words.
Bane gave an embarrassed smile and said no more.
Subsequently, Ron carefully checked Bane's panel information.
He vaguely felt that after using the God-level Beast Control Technique, the controlled animals seemed to undergo some subtle changes.
Name: Bane
Race: Centaur
Level: Foundation Establishment Initial Stage
Bloodline: Centaur Chiron Bloodline 0.00001%
Ron was startled: Chiron's bloodline? Although this number was so small it was almost negligible, it was still the bloodline of the legendary Centaur Chiron!
Chiron, the famous Centaur, teacher of many heroes, such as Achilles and others, who had all received his guidance.
And Chiron's father was an even greater legend, Cronus, one of the young Twelve Titans.
Ron tried to calm his excited feelings and re-examined Bane.
He found that Bane's muscles were even more solid and powerful than when they first met, even gleaming with a metallic luster.
Ron couldn't help but fall into contemplation, wondering how this increase in bloodline purity had occurred, and decided to study it thoroughly in the future.
First, it could be confirmed that through his God-level Beast Control Technique, an animal's bloodline could change.
At the same time, Ron was also silently calculating the assistance Bane could provide him.
His animal vision ability could allow him to explore a wider field of vision in the Forbidden Forestthrough Bane.
And as a powerful race in the Forbidden Forest, Centaurs were naturally a force that could not be ignored.
"Ron, look over there, do you see anything?" Harry suddenly interrupted Ron's thoughts, raising his hand and pointing forward.
Ron looked in the direction Harry was pointing and saw a black winged horse standing quietly not far away.
"It's a Thestral!" Ron exclaimed, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Thestrals, these legendary winged horses, had tall, gaunt bodies, were as black as ink, with a dragon's head and a horse's body, and a pair of wide wings on their backs, capable of flying at high speeds in the air.
Moreover, it was said that only those who had experienced death could see its figure.
Ron, Harry, and Bane all met this condition; they had all faced the threat of death directly.
At this moment, watching the Thestral slowly walk towards them on all fours, then gently lower its head beside Ron.
"It seems my animal affinity is working," Ron thought to himself, and his gaze involuntarily fell upon the Thestral's panel.
Name: None
Race: Thestral
Level: Qi Refining Stage
Bloodline: Black Dragon Bloodline Purity 5%.
Another rare beast with a powerful bloodline!
Ron increasingly felt that the Forbidden Forest was truly a treasure trove, with good things emerging endlessly.
He secretly decided that he must come here often to explore in the future.
Without the slightest hesitation, Ron guided his divine soul into the Thestral's mind, forming a divine soul imprint.
The Thestral was successfully subdued in an instant!
At this moment, Ron finally had his own mount.
He mounted the Thestral's back and said to Bane: "Go, lead the way!"
Bane respectfully responded and then trotted on all fours, continuing towards the depths of the Forbidden Forest.
Ron sat on the Thestral's back, feeling its strong and powerful body rise and fall with each step on the ground, his heart filled with anticipation.
Next, Ron and his companions would face the Acromantula, and Ron was unsure of this creature's specific strength.
Now that he had so many people on his side, including the foundation building Centaur Bane, there was no need to be so afraid.
Ron sat on the Thestral's back, stroking its silky smooth mane, a sense of closeness surging within him.
He looked at the majestic winged horse before him and decided to give it a name. "I'll call you Kiki," Ron said softly.
Ron secretly gloated: Hahaha, I'm truly a genius at naming!
Harry looked at Ron riding on the Thestral's back, envy showing in his eyes.
He also longed to have a mount of his own.
So, Harry couldn't help but ask: "Ron, can I have a mount too?"
Ron heard Harry's question, chuckled, and replied:
"Of course, Harry. I've already thought about it for you; you'll know in a bit."
Chapter 56: Encountering the Eight-eyed Spider
At this moment, the night was deep, and the wind began to pick up.
Ron rode Thestral, walking side-by-side with Bane.
He worried that Harry wouldn't be able to keep up with them.
So, Ron decisively had Harry sit on Bane's back.
Harry had never ridden a horse before, and he stared wide-eyed, curiously observing everything around him.
Although Centaurs were vastly different from ordinary horses, in Harry's mind, perhaps this could also be considered a peculiar type of horse.
He felt the rise and fall of the Centaur's back, listened to the wind whistling in his ears, and his heart was filled with novelty and excitement.
Ron was also riding a horse for the first time, but his strong physique and excellent beast-taming skills made him seem at ease on Thestral's back.
However, Thestral's gaunt body and large black wings on either side made him feel a bit awkward.
Ron thought: It seems I need to find time to get a saddle for this fellow.
Ron remembered the purpose of this trip, and he asked Bane: "Bane, do you know about Acromantulas? How strong are they?"
Bane lowered his head slightly, seemingly pondering how to answer.
He slowly said: "Master, Acromantulas themselves are not invincible. More importantly, Aragog has many children, and these children also possess a certain level of combat power. So we must be extra careful."
Ron nodded slightly, musing to himself: "Hmm, continue."
A thought arose in his mind: if he could first deal with the large Acromantula, then the smaller ones might no longer be a problem.
He couldn't help but wonder, were these Acromantulas the ones Hagrid had mentioned before?
Bane's voice interrupted Ron's thoughts, and he sincerely said:
"Every Acromantula is as huge as a carriage, and even we Centaurs dare not provoke them easily. However, compared to other more ferocious creatures, they are already considered weaker."
Harry heard this and asked with a puzzled look: "As big as a carriage? How big is that exactly?"
At the thought of those terrifying creatures, covered in fur and possessing giant four pairs of legs, he couldn't help but shiver all over, goosebumps rising on his skin.
Ron's thoughts, however, did not dwell on fear.
He mused that if Acromantulas were truly so enormous, then their territory must be vast.
At this thought, Ron felt a little excited.
Imagining occupying the Acromantulas' territory and establishing his own cave abode, he became more and more excited, and couldn't help but chuckle.
Harry looked at Ron's smile, feeling somewhat perplexed.
...
The group had already trekked for nearly an hour, their footsteps leaving deep imprints in the muddy swamp as they passed through dense black forests.
Ron's gaze occasionally swept across the ground, and unexpectedly, he saw some chilling sights—animal remains scattered everywhere.
Some of these remains were severely decomposed, fur intertwined with mud, emitting a repulsive stench.
A sense of alarm arose in Ron's heart.
He hurriedly urged Bane to quicken their pace.
Bane sensed Ron's tension and also sped up his guiding rhythm. The group involuntarily followed closely behind Bane.
Just then, several black crows suddenly startled from the branches, emitting piercing cries.
"Caw!"
They then flapped their wings and flew high, quickly disappearing into the distant sky.
The sudden departure of the crows made the dense forest even more eerie.
Bane raised his hand and pointed to a spot ahead, his voice very low, with a hint of caution:
"Look, our destination is there. From now on, we must be extra careful. Acromantulas' sight and hearing are extremely sensitive; a slight carelessness could expose our whereabouts."
Ron immediately understood; he made a shushing gesture to Harry, signaling him to remain quiet.
Then, Ron lightly leaped off Thestral, motioning for Harry to follow closely, and the two cautiously advanced towards their destination together.
Ron kept his spiritual power contained, taking each step carefully, as if afraid of disturbing the surrounding tranquility.
He stepped on the leaves, trying to make his footsteps as light as a gentle breeze.
However, at this moment, he suddenly felt an unusual aura, as if countless pairs of eyes were staring intently at him in the darkness.
These eyes glowed red, appearing particularly striking in the pitch-black night.
Harry also noticed something was wrong; he was about to scream, but his experiences with Ron quickly calmed him down.
He tightly covered his mouth, afraid of making any sound that might attract greater danger.
Ron, relying on his Qi Refining Fifth Layer strength, had excellent night vision, and he tried to discern the scene behind those red eyes in the darkness.
Gradually, two giant Acromantulas appeared in his sight.
Their bodies were enormous, almost filling his entire vision. Their eyes emitted a blood-red light, a light that held an eerie and terrifying quality.
Beneath them were countless small spiders, their numbers astonishing.
Although these small spiders were not large, their sheer numbers were enough to make one's scalp tingle.
Ron had experienced many thrilling situations, but at this moment, he couldn't help but feel a little flustered.
He then looked at the panel of the Acromantula in front of him.
Name: Aragog
Race: Acromantula
Level: Late Qi Refining
Bloodline: Wolf Spider Bloodline
A hint of solemnity flashed in Ron's eyes; this Aragog, merely Late Qi Refining, already brought such a great sense of oppression.
He turned to look at the other spider, only to see the name "Mosag" on the panel, with no other differences from Aragog.
Ron's mind gradually cleared; these two spiders must have been personally placed here by Hagrid back then.
He couldn't help but fall into contemplation: why did every magical creature he encountered always have intricate connections with Hagrid?
Bane stood aside, his expression solemn as he spoke:
"Master, this is why we are reluctant to provoke Acromantulas. Although their individual strength is not great, their astonishing numbers are enough to make people cower in fear."
"Perhaps, Master, we should come back another time," Bane then tentatively suggested.
However, Ron shook his head with a confident expression: "No matter. What if there are many?"
He had initially thought Acromantulas were roughly at the Foundation Establishment stage, which might be a bit troublesome.
Now that he found they were merely Late Qi Refining, it was nothing to worry about.
The strength of the small spiders could even be ignored.
Ron's Nebula Swordplay could attack indiscriminately, so dealing with these small spiders would naturally be a piece of cake.
Dealing with the larger ones might take a while, but it was still not a problem.
He already had a strategy in mind.
His only concern was how to ensure he didn't harm the small spiders when subduing them, to avoid unnecessary losses during the process.
After all, every spider was a potential asset, and he didn't want his profits to be greatly reduced due to a moment of oversight.
At this moment, Ron suddenly remembered that he still had a trump card he hadn't used.