Chapter 257: Chapter 175: Return (Part 2) The fluid appeared pearl-like milky white, with twinkling golden particles inside. "This is the Deep Sea Essence I’ve specially blended for you," Ron explained: "It combines the energy traits of some rare deep-sea creatures and should have a good effect on your bloodline purification." Dale curiously took the bottle, sniffed it carefully, and her eyes lit up instantly: "It smells so nice! It smells like the ocean!" Ron nodded: "Drink it slowly. This formula is somewhat special and requires your blood circulation to fully absorb every drop." Obediently, Dale sipped slowly, swallowing only a small mouthful each time, then closed her eyes to feel the energy flowing inside her body. As the liquid entered her body, her skin began to show a subtle pearl sheen, like the sea surface under moonlight. Ron activated the "Insight" trait, closely observing the changes within Dale. This Deep Sea Essence was formulated based on the Sea Siren’s original bloodline, with added special enhancement factors. Unlike the danger posed by the Abyssal Organization, this kind of homologous enhancement is much safer and easier for Dale’s body to accept. "How do you feel?" Ron asked as Dale finished the last drop. "Very warm," Dale answered softly, her eyes still closed, seeming to savor some sort of internal joy: "I feel a warm current flowing through my body, from my throat to the tip of my tail, and then back to my heart." Ron nodded with satisfaction: "That’s exactly the sign of your bloodline circulation being activated. Next, I need you to do some special exercises to help you better control this newly acquired energy." He took out a specially made Crystal Ball and placed it in the cultivation pool. The Crystal Ball slowly sank to the bottom, emitting a faint blue light. "Try using your abilities to control the Crystal Ball and move it along a specific path in the water," Ron instructed: "Without touching it with your hands, just use your control power over the water flow." Dale nodded, showing a serious expression. She extended her hands but did not directly touch the Crystal Ball; instead, she gently moved them, as if conducting an invisible symphony. The water responded to her movements immediately, forming slight whirlpools that slowly lifted the Crystal Ball. Initially, the ball’s movement was somewhat unstable, floating up and down erratically. But as Dale deepened her control over the energy, the ball’s trajectory became progressively smoother and more precise. "Very good," Ron encouraged: "Now try increasing the difficulty—have the Crystal Ball draw a perfect spiral in the water." Dale bit her lower lip, her cute little face scrunched up, clearly finding this a challenging task. But after a few failed attempts, she seemed to find the knack. The Crystal Ball began to ascend along a graceful spiral path, then descend along the same track. "Excellent work!" Ron sincerely praised: "Your control power over the Water Element already surpasses that of most adult Sea Sirens." Dale smiled happily at the compliment: "Of course, because I have the best master in the world!" Ron gently patted her hair: "Your bloodline purity is steadily improving. At this rate, you should be able to successfully break through the Golden Ring threshold before I head to the Bloodline Altar." "Really?" Dale asked excitedly: "Then I can become stronger and better protect Master!" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮 "That’s right," Ron nodded: "Moreover, the champion has the privilege to bring along a ’Companion’ to the Bloodline Altar, which is why the School places so much emphasis on this period’s Bloody Gladiatorial Games, even at the cost of offering various important rewards and changing the rules to a free-for-all." "I will become the strongest guard for Master!" Dale announced confidently, puffing out her chest: "No one can harm Master!" Ron smiled, looking at this once delicate little life; the potential of the "Big Eater" trait was more astounding than he initially imagined. In just half a year, she had grown to contend with formidable creatures like the Scorpion—this is the amazing result of the interaction between a Special Talent and bloodline modulation. "Let’s go to the training ground for some more practical exercises," Ron proposed: "Show me the power your control of the Water Element can unleash in battle." Excited, Dale leaped out of the water, water droplets forming a beautiful arc in the air before returning to the pool without a single drop touching the ground. The training ground was an open space Ron designed specifically for Dale, surrounded by various obstacles and moving targets to train her reaction speed and attack accuracy. "Today we try a new exercise." Ron said, activating a mechanism in the center of the field: "The Water Element can be used not only for attack but also for defense and aiding movement." As the mechanism activated, dozens of sharp wooden spikes popped out from the floor and walls, creating a threatening path of obstacles. "You need to pass through these obstacles without directly touching any spike." Ron explained: "You can use the Water Element to create a protective layer or alter your movement trajectory." The Little Sea Siren raised her hands in response, and the water molecules in the air immediately responded to her call, gathering into a thin water film enveloping her body. "Shield, activate!" She mimicked the words Ron had mumbled before, shouting with a serious tone. Then, the Little Sea Siren carefully navigated through the spikes. Whenever she approached a particularly dangerous obstacle, the water film would thicken automatically, forming a small shield. Her movements became increasingly smooth; she even began to spin and jump lightly among the obstacles, as if performing a water ballet. Ron watched Dale’s performance with satisfaction, occasionally recording some key data. Her control of the Water Element had reached a considerably high level, and she kept progressing. "Next, I want you to continue practicing the ’Hydrofoil Gliding’ technique." Just as Ron was about to explain the key points of this technique, a strong wave of life force suddenly emanated from the direction of the courtyard, clearly perceptible even in the training field. Surprised, Ron and Dale turned to look out the window. "Ailan Mama!" Dale immediately recognized the source of the energy, tugging excitedly at her master’s hand: "She’s awakening! Master, hurry, let’s go see her!" Ron also realized that the ancient tree, slumbering in the courtyard for over half a month, was finally about to awaken. "Let’s go welcome her return." He and Dale quickly arrived at the courtyard, witnessing the astonishing transformation taking place in the ancient tree. The entire tree was enveloped in a pale green glow, radiating from within to form a soft cocoon of light. The lines on the trunk flowed as if alive, forming intricate and beautiful patterns, like some kind of living script. The leaves on the tree canopy sparkled, tiny light points like fireflies drifting away, creating wondrous dancing patterns in the air. "So beautiful..." Dale held her breath and stared, her large, purple-blue eyes reflecting this miraculous scene: "It’s like elves dancing in the forest." Ron activated the "Extraordinary Recognition" and "Insight" traits, carefully observing this metamorphosis process. In his perception, the energy within Ailan was undergoing a complete reorganization. The dispersed energy nodes formed a complex yet harmonious network, with bloodline purity greatly enhanced, likely reaching the Golden Ring level. Lilia arrived too, standing by, marveling: "My goodness, this is more beautiful than any extraordinary creature metamorphosis I’ve read about." With a gentle breeze sweeping by, the tree crown at the top of the ancient tree slowly parted, revealing the miracle within: A golden-green light gradually concentrated from the center of the crown, slowly condensing into a human-shaped outline.