Chapter 483: Zhong Yong – My Lord, You are a Genius!

Fishman Zhong Yong was a silver level magician who had practiced magic for years, yet he had never encountered a case like that of the fishman youngster.

After the fishman youngster began his magic training under Zhong Yong's guidance, the innate talent he displayed left the latter deeply astonished.

“What level of bloodline did I absorb from Hai Ping's saint corpse this time?” the fishman youngster wondered inwardly.

He had not practiced any magic while in his dragonman form, and the concentration of the Flame Dragon King's bloodline differed from that of the fishman bloodline he had absorbed this time.

Thus, he had no point of reference.

Yet the fishman youngster was certain: the fishman bloodline he had absorbed must be of exceptionally high level!

He had felt this distinctly the very first time he attempted to cast a spell.

When memorizing the magic model for Spring Well, it felt remarkably simple. After one look, he remembered it with no possibility of forgetting.

Before casting it for the first time, the fishman Zhong Yong shared various insights, experiences, and tricks with him. When it came time to actually cast the spell, it flowed as naturally as breathing, so effortless that those insights and tricks felt superfluous!

“Spring Well is merely the lowest level spell to learn.”

“Let us continue our training.”

Facing Zhong Yong's effusive praise, the fishman youngster remained remarkably composed.

Impressed by the youngster's poise, Zhong Yong silently admired him and proceeded to teach him other fundamental water attribute spells.

The magic models for these were all remarkably straightforward.

The fishman youngster glanced over them briefly before committing them all to memory.

Just like Spring Well, his first attempts at casting these spells were all successful. Not a single failure, not even a hint of one.

“These basic spells hold no challenge for your Lordship.”

“We can try some higher level spells now.” Zhong Yong suggested proactively.

His enthusiasm for teaching the youngster grew ever stronger. This was his first encounter with someone of such innate talent, and he was deeply curious to discover the limits of the fishman youngster's abilities.

“Speaking of which,” the fishman youngster inquired, “what exactly defines the classification of spell levels?”

This seemingly basic question caused Zhong Yong to pause slightly, reaffirming his realization that the fishman youngster before him was indeed a complete novice in magic.

Zhong Yong replied, “There are many methods for classifying spells.”

“Generally speaking, spell levels align with the levels of transcendents. From lowest to highest: bronze level, iron level, silver level, gold level... legend level.”

“This is the most common classification system, based on the casting capabilities of beings at corresponding levels. For instance, bronze level spells are spells most bronze level magicians can cast. The same applies to gold level spells and so forth."

The fishman youngster inquired again, “But I've heard of tactical-class, battlefield-class, and strategic-class spells?”

Zhong Yong nodded and explained, “That classification is based on a spell's actual power.”

“Generally, some lower level spells are classified as tactical-class.”

“Battlefield-class spells are at least gold level.”

“Most renowned strategic-class spells are essentially legend level, with extremely stringent casting requirements.”

The fishman youngster nodded repeatedly, grasping the distinctions and connections.

Zhong Yong continued, “These are merely classification methods for spells and aren't entirely precise.”

“Extremely rare silver level spells can also be rated as battlefield-class.”

"In the most common classification, if a caster possesses exceptional talent, they can fully unleash silver level spells at the bronze level. This is commonly known as casting beyond one's level."

“Take you, for instance, my lord. Though you've only just begun your cultivation and hold the lowest bronze level magician title, your displayed talent is exceptionally strong. You could easily cast iron level spells beyond your level.”

"My Lord, forgive my boldness, but what exactly is your bloodline? I'm truly curious!"

The fishman youngster shook his head, his face filled with regret, “I too yearn to know the answer to that question. Truthfully, I had hoped to glean some clues from you.”

Zhong Yong sighed, “My Lord, though I am a fishman, I grew up in the Ice Sculpture Kingdom. While I possess knowledge of fishmen, it is almost entirely derived from books.”

"Your bloodline traits are not pronounced, making it difficult to assess from outward appearance alone. I cannot discern the truth of your lineage."

The fishman youngster felt no surprise at Zhong Yong's response.

He silently lamented: "If only Zi Di were here. She could use a bloodline-testing potion to uncover the truth of my fishman bloodline."

At this stage, without Zi Di present, the fishman youngster had no means to conduct a bloodline test.

Though the tower spirit remained by his side, its current capabilities were limited to calculations, such as refining potion formulas or perfecting alchemy diagrams.

Conducting a complete potion blood test from start to finish, however, was beyond the tower spirit's capacity.

Too many unpredictable variables existed in such a process. Each test result necessitates continuous hypothesis refinement while simultaneously invalidating numerous prior assumptions.

Especially in the early stages, the magician had to intuitively select a testing path from an overwhelming sea of possibilities.

This was a test of spiritual insight.

The tower spirit itself was damaged and required specialized treatment for any hope of recovery.

After obtaining the soul crystals, Cang Xu attempted to use it to heal the tower spirit, but it proved ineffective.

This was precisely why Cang Xu has persistently sought the ship spirit restoration scroll held by Jian Gui.

Unfortunately, Jian Gui intended to submit this scroll as crucial evidence and showed no willingness to trade it.

Given Zhong Yong's status and skill as an alchemist, he was actually qualified to conduct the bloodline potion test.

However, his loyalty had yet to be fully verified, and he was far from being trusted with core secrets.

In truth, assigning Zhong Yong to the Deep Sea Monster Fish was already a considerable risk.

After all, he was a silver level magician. Despite the meticulously crafted magic contract, the survivors still needed to observe him over the long term.

No matter what, from the fishman youngster's terrifying learning speed, his fishman bloodline was definitely high level.

But this was not enough.

The fishman youngster also needed the most precise answers.

With those answers, he could break through based on his bloodline, specifically select certain marine life, absorb their bloodline essence, and effectively supplement his own fishman bloodline.

Once the concentration of his fishman bloodline increased, the youngster's innate talents would grow even more.

“With Zi Di absent, the tower spirit and Zhong Yong are unusable. The only remaining option is to rely on Cang Xu.”

“Cang Xu will inquire through prayer to obtain the answer from the Charming Blue Goddess.”

“But Cang Xu's current level of faith and position within the church are insufficient.”

“To gain the answer for my own fishman bloodline, I must first secure the answer for his bloodline.”

That was the basic plan.

The fishman youngster began his magic training, leveraging his superior bloodline and astonishing talent to cast spells beyond his level.

Once he mastered the Undead Bloodline Detection Spell, he could use it on Cang Xu.

By then, Cang Xu's bloodline mutation would surely have stabilized completely.

After obtaining Cang Xu's bloodline answers, they could lie in wait at the Ocean Mother Nest.

Whenever Zhou Zhang presided over blood sacrifices outside, the fishman youngster would strike first whenever the sacrificed undead were transported into the Mother Nest.

He would hunt down these undead, extract their bloodline essence using the Bloodcore, then purify Cang Xu's bloodline concentration through the Bloodline Purification Formation.

As Cang Xu's bloodline concentration increased, his aptitude would rise, and his ability to forge memories would become more proficient. Thus, in subsequent prayers, he could garner greater favor and receive more divine blessings.

Through this process, his position within the church would also advance.

As his rank within the church rises, Cang Xu would gain greater involvement in the grand Charming Blue Ritual, securing better divine blessings, creating a positive feedback loop.

Upon reaching a certain rank, Cang Xu could preside over rituals himself.

He would master divine spells, enabling survivors to wield the pearl bubbles more effectively—much like the naga priests wielding divine spells during the Two Eyes Island battle.

Moreover, Cang Xu might even command the divine artifact, Mermaid Fairy Tale.

Reaching this level represents the optimal outcome.

According to the fishman youngster's prior speculation, his recent teleportation, along with his ship, into the Ocean Mother Nest was caused by Charming Blue Goddess' divine artifact, Mermaid Fairy Tale.

If Cang Xu could manipulate the Mermaid Fairy Tale, there existed a possibility of teleporting the Deep Sea Monster Fish out once more.

This way, the fishman youngster and Cang Xu could safely leave the ocean trench without anyone noticing, keeping Zhou Zhang completely in the dark from start to finish.

Achieving this step would mean a major victory for the survivors!

With the Ocean Mother Nest preserved and Zhou Zhang harboring no suspicions, the fishman youngster and Cang Xu could teleport back in whenever she held another blood sacrifice. Right under her nose, they could effortlessly replenish the divine artifact's power and mass-produce pearl bubbles.

Achieving this would render both the dual seals binding Cang Xu and the fatal hidden mechanism of Jian Gui irrelevant.

Divine blessings could easily resolve these complications.

His cultivation progress accelerated rapidly.

The fishman youngster swiftly mastered basic water attribute spells. After a brief glance, he memorized all iron level spells.

His success rate in casting spells beyond his level was 100%!

Zhong Yong was once again stunned.

Though he had surmised the youngster could cast spells beyond his level, he hadn't anticipated such effortless mastery.

“Lord, where exactly lies your limit?” Zhong Yong's gaze toward the fishman youngster now held unmistakable reverence.

Admiring strength was one of the fundamental traits shared by nearly all sentient beings.

However, when practicing silver level spells, the fishman youngster encountered trouble.

Though he could use his spirit to accurately map out the magic model, his magic power was completely insufficient.

Zhong Yong declared, "Lord, it's only your magician level holding you back! With your talent, you'll reach iron level in no time."

He was even more excited than the fishman youngster.