The reason this Mythical-tier seed before Ciel shocked him so much was because it didn't seem to be a "natural" seed at all. Beneath that layer of surface firelight, it gleamed with metallic lustre. Its surface was carved with countless complex and intricate patterns.

Even he felt dizzy and disoriented just looking at it. The magical knowledge contained within far exceeded his imagination. But he could still confirm one thing... these patterns seemed familiar. They were similar to the ancient alchemical patterns on Demeter's chalice.

This living, system-recognised Mythical-tier seed was actually an alchemical creation?! Tremendous waves surged through his heart. The Philosopher's Stone, praised as alchemy's supreme achievement, could turn stone to gold and grant immortality. It even had the ability to create a new body for Voldemort.

This was already an incredible object. But compared to this Mythical-tier seed before him, he felt even the Philosopher's Stone paled in comparison. After all, the Philosopher's Stone couldn't directly create entirely new life. But this Mythical-tier seed was truly life created through alchemy.

"The Fire God of the legendary Olympian era was most skilled at alchemy. Seeing this now, it's indeed true. His mastery of ancient alchemy probably far exceeded current wizards' imagination."

After he realised this Mythical-tier seed was an alchemical creation from the Fire God, reward information that made his heart race slowly appeared above it.

[You have obtained an unknown Mythical-tier plant seed.]

[After cultivating it to maturity, you can obtain rewards...]

[Fire Control (Mythical Tier)]

[Alchemy (Mythical Tier)]

Below these two revealed rewards, many more seemed to remain hidden. But just these two were enough to make his breathing quicken. Not just one Mythical-tier reward, but dual Mythical-tier rewards?! This Mythical-tier seed was probably extraordinary even among Mythical-tier items.

This time, he had truly gained unimaginable rewards from the Forbidden Forest troll tribe. But simultaneously, he felt unprecedented confusion. Why would the Fire God leave behind such an object rather than other alchemical items? Seeds seemed completely unrelated to what the Fire God was interested in, according to legend.

At this moment, he turned his gaze to the troll priest Cyrus standing nearby. He asked, "How much do you know about this seed?"

Cyrus shook his head helplessly with a bitter smile. "Though I'm a rare troll priest among trolls, honestly, compared to our great ancestors, my Titan Giant bloodline concentration is still too low. After so much time, the knowledge and memories left in my bloodline have become increasingly fragmented. I only know this seed has been preserved by each generation of priests in the Forbidden Forest troll tribe. Besides that... oh right, there's also this."

Saying this, Cyrus seemed to remember something and carefully pulled out an ancient scroll made from unknown leather. The scroll didn't record any powerful spells or profound magical knowledge. Instead, it was an epic-scale painting.

His gaze was drawn to a massive plant in the painting's centre that seemed to connect heaven and earth. His eyes showed amazement. "This is... The World Tree?"

He had previously obtained World Tree roots from the Ministry's secret vault. At that time, he'd considered exploring World Tree secrets but received Professor Sprout's advice that World Tree mysteries were too distant. Too many excellent herbologists had wasted their lives on it.

He had agreed, so he'd buried those World Tree roots and never researched related information. But unexpectedly, he would see World Tree records here with Cyrus.

After carefully examining the World Tree in the painting, his expression became even more shocked. Though the World Tree in the painting remained magnificent, it showed shocking cracks starting from the roots, seemingly on the verge of collapse.

Around the World Tree, the painting showed many shadowy figures in the distance. He had initially thought these were humans, but comparing them with the surrounding scenery revealed their height far exceeded normal humans. Even giants would be insufficient before them.

Only Olympian-era Titan Giants could match. But even through the painting, one could feel the despair and panic emanating from them. He remained silent for a long time, constantly speculating.

"I obtained World Tree roots. This was system-certified, meaning the World Tree definitely had problems. Those Titan Giants should have felt despair because of this. The fall of the Olympian era and the end of the Titan Giant age... could they be related to the World Tree's problems? The Fire God's final legacy wasn't his proudest, powerful alchemical items but a Mythical-tier seed created through alchemy. Could he have been trying to use alchemy to recreate a World Tree?"

More and more mysteries emerged in his mind. But moments later, he took a deep breath. Occlumency activated, clearing all the distracting thoughts and mysteries from his mind. His chaotic thoughts became crystal clear again.

"Aunt Sprout's advice to me was still correct. Encountering things far beyond my capability at inappropriate times sometimes isn't good... it might bring misfortune instead. World Tree matters, Olympian era mysteries, reasons for Titan Giant destruction, the Fire God's intentions... Do these have great meaning for me now? What if I understood them? I currently lack the ability to plant Mythical-tier seeds. Much less explore events that could destroy a group of Mythical-tier beings. A single grain of dust from that era falling on my head would be a mountain. Unless someday I can reach the peak of this era, perhaps then I'll be qualified to explore these secrets. For now, not a single word or even thought can leak out."

He looked at this tempting Mythical-tier seed. Voldemort had nearly gone mad pursuing the Philosopher's Stone. This seed was genuinely life created through alchemy. If Voldemort learnt any clues about it, he would truly stop at nothing... perhaps even sacrifice several Horcruxes to seize it!

Moments later, he made his decision. "It's not yet time to use it."

Then he took Cyrus to the cave on Sprout Island where they'd previously discovered Dittany. Looking at the crack in the cave's centre that led straight to the underwater volcano, he didn't hesitate before entering with the seed.

What met his eyes was pitch darkness with a distant red point like a bubble. He knew that must be lava still unextinguished in the underwater volcano. The closer to there, the higher the temperature, the more it became a forbidden zone for life.

But now, for him whose Legendary Life had ascended once and possessed the Unburnt trait, few flames in this world could threaten him. Even such high temperatures had absolutely no effect on him. He looked at the Mythical-tier seed in his arms.

Obviously, being created by the Fire God, it also didn't fear such temperatures. It even seemed like returning home... the firelight on its surface became more active. Only then did he completely relax, climbing down until reaching temperatures so scorching that even fire dragons probably couldn't endure and no wizard would dare approach.

He placed the Mythical-tier seed on a protruding platform, dug a hole, and buried it. After marking the location, he climbed back out. Outside the crack, Cyrus watched his actions without asking a single question, as if completely unaware of the matter.

After a moment of silence, it actually proposed something. "My King. My kinsmen have built caves on the cliffs. There they can feel sea breezes, which suit them well. But I'm old and can't handle wind. This cave is very warm... may I live here?"

He raised an eyebrow, understanding Cyrus was demonstrating loyalty. It would guard this place's secrets for him. "But can you handle the temperature here?"

Hearing his question, Cyrus showed a proud smile. "Though the Titan Giant bloodline I inherited is quite diluted. As a Fire God descendant, my tolerance for flames and high temperatures far exceeds other trolls. Rather, compared to the dark Forbidden Forest, in such dry, hot places I actually feel more comfortable. Here, my Titan Giant bloodline seems more active, allowing me to live a few more years."

Only then did he nod with satisfaction. Having Cyrus, this powerful troll priest, as combat strength he could directly command would naturally be excellent if he could live several more years. However, having Cyrus constantly live in this cave in what amounted to imprisonment seemed too inhumane.

After thinking briefly, he said, "In a couple days, I'll bring you some books to read... at least to relieve boredom. Are there any particular books you'd like to see?"

Cyrus's eyes brightened at this. Due to his troll identity, despite possessing considerable intelligence and magical ability, Cyrus had never left the Forbidden Forest in this era. After all, the outside world was full of crises for trolls.

No matter how powerful, he couldn't match wizards at Dumbledore's or Voldemort's tier. If his Titan Giant bloodline were discovered, it might even draw out some wizards who'd been in hiding for years. Even if he could protect himself, the Forbidden Forest troll tribe would face catastrophe.

Therefore, he'd never left the Forbidden Forest. The knowledge he could access was only those fragmentary memories inherited through bloodline. As for magic, besides that ancient fire magic, he knew nothing else. Current magical books were treasures to him.

Cyrus then made a request that quite surprised him. "My King. If possible, I'd like to learn about alchemy."

Cyrus's eyes showed sorrow. "Our ancestors were revered as deities for fire and alchemy. As their descendant, I don't know even the slightest bit about alchemy... I'm truly unworthy of ancestral blood. I want to try alchemy."

Strange light flashed in his eyes as he recalled that book in the Restricted Section that made countless talented young wizards wail... "Introduction to Alchemy". Alchemy was very useful but extremely difficult to master. Becoming proficient was even harder.

He had experienced this before and was quite self-aware. Without obtaining plants that could enhance alchemy, he wouldn't waste precious time on it. But if Cyrus could achieve something in alchemy, the meaning for him would be extraordinary.

He still hadn't found an alchemist he could trust to repair Demeter's chalice. After all, any alchemist capable of repairing the chalice would definitely discover it was genuinely authentic. That could cause trouble.

If Cyrus could reach that level in alchemy, the help to him would be enormous. He was a Fire God bloodline descendant after all. Perhaps there really was something to look forward to.

Then he nodded. "In a couple days, I'll bring you some alchemy texts. And I have another matter to ask you about."

His gaze fell on Cyrus. Compared to Titan Giants, World Trees, or Mythical-tier seeds, what this troll priest possessed was actually more practical for him. For instance, that ancient fire magic.

"That fire magic. Slow down and let me watch again."

After he made this request, Cyrus didn't hesitate. Holding his staff, he slowed his movements while ancient incantations sounded. His eyes showed strange light. Indeed, it was ancient runic script.

But the number and types of runes involved differed from the Ancient Weather Magic he'd encountered. The Ancient Weather Magic he'd encountered, though he'd only memorised three consecutive runes, actually contained at least twelve runes in total.

But Cyrus's magic only involved two runes. It seemed his bloodline inheritance was too fragmented, only obtaining lower-tier ancient fire magic inheritance. But this didn't mean it was useless to him. Quite the opposite.

Given his current magical mastery, ancient magic that was too complex would be completely incomprehensible. Those runes and their different structural combinations produced countless varied effects. Instead, such simple runic combinations were relatively easier, allowing him to discern more details.

Corresponding to his process of mastering Ancient Weather Magic, after having Cyrus repeatedly cast the ancient fire magic over ten times, he had a strange feeling. This ancient fire magic contained two runes. During casting, Cyrus needed to continuously construct the nodes required for both runes in one breath.

Even by the minimum standard for each rune to function, Cyrus had to construct at least fourteen runic nodes with magic power in one breath. He had been stuck here in previous practice. He could construct three nodes each for three runes separately.

But once connected, pressure immediately multiplied. After completing the first rune with all his effort, he couldn't completely construct the second rune's nodes, much less the third. To master Ancient Weather Magic required constructing seven nodes each for three runes in one breath... twenty-one nodes total.

For practical use, this process had to be completed quickly. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't figure out how to achieve this. But Cyrus's process was very smooth. He even felt that the two runes in the ancient fire magic formed their nodes not in sequence, but simultaneously.

Simultaneously? He entered a flow state, constantly pondering his earlier perception. After a while, inspiration flashed through his mind.

"Yes. Runes don't exist in isolation... they combine with each other to produce incredible magical power. In ancient magic, the involved runes must take effect simultaneously, not sequentially. Like modern magic... once an incantation is complete, the magic is complete. It's impossible for each letter in the incantation to individually produce part of the effect. The three runes in Ancient Weather Magic aren't about constructing the first, then the second, then the third... consecutively constructing twenty-one nodes. They should form as a whole, simultaneously! This would be slightly more difficult than constructing individual runes, but not much more. Compared to sequential construction, it would be much simpler."

Grasping this point, his eyes brightened as his understanding of runic script rose to a new level. At the same time, he wielded his holly wand. Magic flowed from the tip as he began simultaneously constructing the basic nodes of the ᚠ, ᚦ, ᛞ runes.

This time, all three runes began construction simultaneously. "Fehu. Thurisaz. Dagaz."

He unconsciously chanted the ancient incantation while fine sweat beaded on his forehead. But his expression was extraordinarily focused. This path was correct. The three runes were gradually becoming complete.

Three nodes, six nodes, nine nodes... When he, sweating profusely, completed the nine nodes he currently mastered, though still far from the required twenty-one nodes, a strange resonance emerged among the three runes' incomplete structures.

Crackle. Crackle.

Tiny electric arcs suddenly sparked from his wand! Simultaneously, on the system panel, the previously somewhat ethereal text of Ancient Weather Magic suddenly solidified. Threads of dim Black Iron lustre slowly emerged on the text!