Chapter 75 The First Knight of the Round Table Appears
Ron stared at the line of words floating before him, a strange confusion welling up in his heart.
He pondered, "Can the power of Soul Binding command the Round Table Knight?"
"Or is it that the prerequisite for becoming a Knight of the Round Table is the existence of a soul body?"
Ron's thoughts raced, trying to uncover the reason behind this.
Ron couldn't figure it out no matter how hard he thought, but now, no matter what, he could only press the confirm button.
So, Ron no longer hesitated and decisively pressed the confirm button.
The moment Ron made his decision, his consciousness suddenly dissipated, as if he had been pulled into an unknown void.
"Where is this?" Ron opened his eyes and found himself in a vast, white space, feeling a sense of bewilderment.
He looked down and saw Peeves kneeling on one knee.
Beside him stood three blurry figures. One held a long sword, another held armor, and the third clutched spurs.
This scene reminded Ron of a knight's knighting ceremony.
As memories surfaced, various details about knighting ceremonies flowed into his mind like a gentle stream, and he gradually understood how to proceed with this investiture.
Ron mused to himself, "It seems Peeves will become one of my Round Table Knight."
However, he couldn't help but wonder if Peeves's strength wasn't particularly outstanding, was he truly suitable to be a Knight of the Round Table?
Ron quickly relaxed; he might be able to confer other Round Table Knight in the future, and this one wouldn't make much difference.
This could just be a test run.
Ron exhaled a breath, his expression instantly becoming solemn, like a towering mountain standing before Peeves.
His gaze was like a torch, looking directly at Peeves, and he said in a deep voice, "Are you willing to become my Knight of the Round Table and solemnly abide by the eight virtues of a knight?"
Peeves knelt on one knee without hesitation, respectfully replying, "I am willing."
His voice, though a little shaky, was filled with determination.
Then, Peeves began to recite the "Knight's Oath" on his knees.
His voice, though not loud enough, was full of sincerity.
"I shall be loyal, generous, value honor, and fear no hardship, pain, or death…" Peeves recited word by word, each word seemingly bursting from the depths of his heart.
The flowing Knight's Oath echoed in the space, like a solemn vow, tightly connecting Peeves's destiny with that of the Round Table Knight.
However, deep down, Peeves was actually controlled by a hidden force, which compelled him to act this way.
In his limited memory, there was no such thing as a Knight's Oath.
He was just an ordinary ghost, led here by fate, becoming Ron's Knight of the Round Table.
Ron looked at Peeves, a sense of satisfaction welling up in his heart.
He smiled, "Very good, very good."
He understood that the power of Soul Binding was so magical and powerful, capable of bringing even a stubborn existence like Peeves under his command.
Ron couldn't help but begin to fantasize: what if he could turn powerful enemies like Lord Voldemortinto his subordinates in the future?
He imagined himself leading a powerful Round Table Knight, conquering everything on his future path.
Ron reined in his thoughts, refocusing his attention on the ceremony at hand.
He walked over to the three blurry figures, preparing to perform the sword-bestowing ceremony.
He raised the silver longsword, its blade gleaming with a cold light, as if it could cut through all evil.
Ron gently placed the longsword on Peeves's kneeling shoulder, symbolizing the bestowal of knightly honor and mission upon him.
Then, Peeves raised his hands, and Ron steadily placed the silver longsword into his hands.
…
Meanwhile, deep within the House of Malfoy, in a dim basement, a blonde young man was guarding twelve lamps.
This basement was filled with an ancient, mysterious aura, as if hiding endless secrets.
This young man was a collateral descendant of the House of Malfoy; his family had been responsible for guarding these lamps for 800 years, ensuring they never went out.
However, no one had ever told him the reason for guarding the lamps, making the task even more perplexing.
The young man yawned boredly, a sense of dissatisfaction rising in his heart. He thought, "Honestly, having to guard these lamps here every day, what's the point? It's not as interesting as reading a novel."
He picked up the novel in his hand, and with a saliva-dampened finger, continued to turn the pages, immersing himself in the story's world.
However, just then, the basement suddenly shook violently a few times.
The young man was so startled that he dropped the book in his hand and stood up in a fright: "What's going on? An earthquake?"
He looked around, trying to find the source of the shaking.
The tremor quickly stopped, and the young man breathed a sigh of relief, preparing to pick up his book again.
However, just then, he suddenly noticed one of the lamps had gone out.
He froze in place, a strong sense of unease welling up in his heart.
Something that hadn't happened in 800 years had actually occurred at this moment!
The young man quickly regained his composure; he understood the seriousness of the matter.
He immediately pushed open the basement door and rushed off to find Lucius Malfoy, the current head of the House of Malfoy.
He had to inform the Head of House as soon as possible so that the family could take appropriate action.
In the deep recesses of the House of Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy sat in his study, handling the arduous family affairs.
He had platinum blonde hair, a pale complexion, and a tall, slender build.
The dim lamplight cast upon him added a touch of gloom and mystery.
Suddenly, an urgent knock on the door broke the tranquility of the study.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
The sound was urgent and forceful, and Lucius couldn't help but frown, putting down his quill, and speaking indifferently:
"What is it? Come in, I told you not to panic when something happens."
The door was violently pushed open, and a young man stumbled in. He was breathing heavily, his face pale, clearly having experienced a considerable fright.
"It's me, the lamp in the basement went out!" the young man said breathlessly.
Upon hearing this, Lucius's quill instantly slipped from his hand, and he abruptly stood up, even his chair toppling to the floor from his movement.
This man, who usually maintained an elegant demeanor, now appeared unusually flustered.
He quickly walked to the young man, grabbed him by the collar, and urgently asked:
"Robert, what did you say? The lamp went out? How many lamps went out?" His voice held a trace of trembling and fear.
Robert stammered, "One… one lamp went out."
"One lamp… This… How is this possible?"
Lucius had completely lost his usual composure; his hands began to tremble, and his pale face was filled with terror and unease.
He realized he wouldn't get anything more from this half-grown boy, so he released his grip, turned back to his desk, righted his chair, and sat down.
He covered his face with his hands, lost in thought.
"The Round Table Knight are about to appear…" he muttered to himself, his voice filled with helplessness and fear.
Chapter 76 Lucius Malfoy's Helplessness
Lucius Malfoy, the current head of the House of Malfoy, was seated at his antique desk.
He had not expected that the mere extinguishing of a single lamp would make him so tense, his back soaked with sweat, and his platinum-blonde hair plastered to his forehead.
For a long time, he remained immersed in that moment of shock, seemingly unable to recover from the sudden change.
He slowly raised his head, his gaze falling upon Robert, who stood motionless at the doorway.
Lucius took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner turmoil, and ordered in a trembling voice:
"Robert, you go back to the basement first and guard it closely. No one is allowed to enter without my permission."
Robert looked at his master in astonishment; such a loss of composure was unprecedented in his mind.
Lucius Malfoy, the head of the family who had always been known for his elegance and decorum, appeared so disheveled today.
"What are you still standing there for? Go quickly!"
Lucius almost used all his strength to utter this sentence, his voice revealing an unprecedented weariness and powerlessness.
"Oh, oh, alright, I'm going now."
Robert quickly responded, turned, and left, not forgetting to close the study door with a heavy thud.
"Bang!"
The study door closed heavily, as if isolating all external disturbances.
Lucius sat alone at the dim desk, his heart filled with a surging tide of panic and unease that he could not calm.
He slumped back onto the leather chair, his body as if drained of all strength.
The study was silent, with only his heavy breathing echoing.
After a long time, Lucius gradually recovered; his gaze began to focus, and his thoughts became clearer.
He tremblingly picked up the water glass on the table, his fingers fumbling several times before he could barely bring the glass to his lips.
The cold water slid down his throat, bringing him a trace of calm.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner turmoil.
After all, he was the head of Malfoy, experienced in worldly affairs, and could not lose his composure over a small matter.
Lucius stood up and began to pace back and forth in the study.
He constantly calculated in his mind, thinking about how to deal with this sudden change.
He knew that these twelve lamps were not merely decorations; a significant secret was hidden behind them.
Eight hundred years ago, their ancestors were entrusted by the Dean of Slytherin at the time to guard these twelve lamps here.
The extinguishing of each lamp represented the appearance of a Knight of the Round Table.
And this also foretold that their pure-blood family was steadily heading towards destruction.
This secret was known only to each generation's head of the family; it was the heavy burden of their House of Malfoy.
Lucius dared not be negligent in the slightest; he quickly walked to the copper crank phone beside the desk, preparing to dial the number known only to the head of the family.
He knew that they were not the only House of Malfoy guarding the lamps; several other pure-blood families also bore the same mission.
Lucius's finger was just hovering above the phone number, ready to dial it.
Suddenly, an urgent ringing sound echoed in the study.
"Ding-a-ling-ling—"
The crisp ringing sound was particularly jarring in the silent night, interrupting Lucius's thoughts.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions, which were slightly agitated by the earlier incident.
He picked up the phone, trying to keep his voice steady: "Hello, this is Lucius. May I ask who is calling?"
A silence came from the other end of the phone, as if the other party was also adjusting her emotions.
Finally, a deep and firm voice spoke:
"Lucius, I am the head of the Lestrange family. I was just about to say, I was just about to call you."
Lucius's heart tightened; he had a premonition that the situation might be more serious than he imagined.
He asked in a deep voice: "Did your lamp also go out?"
There was another silence on the other end of the phone, followed by an affirmative reply:
"Yes, just a short while ago, one of the lamps guarded by our family also went out."
Lucius's fingers tapped unconsciously on the desktop; a strong sense of unease surged in his heart.
He tried to remain calm and said:
"Alright, I understand. We need to convene a meeting as soon as possible to discuss countermeasures. Let's do it tonight, at my house."
The call ended, the receiver hitting the base with a crisp "clack."
Lucius stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the pitch-black night.
He knew that even though it was already ten o'clock at night, and the heads of the other families might not arrive until midnight, this meeting was essential.
He secretly rejoiced that only one lamp had gone out so far, and the situation was still manageable.
But if the number of extinguished lamps exceeded three, then the situation would probably be unpredictable.
He knew that if all twelve lamps went out, only destruction would await them.
"Is the Malfoy family's thousand-year foundation going to be destroyed in my hands?" Lucius murmured to himself, his voice revealing endless worry.
...
Meanwhile, in The Burrow of the Weasley Family, the atmosphere was as warm and pleasant as ever.
At the dining table on the first floor of The Burrow, Ron Weasley's parents, Molly and Arthur, were enjoying dinner and chatting casually.
"How is Ron doing at school?" Molly asked with concern, her eyes revealing her longing and worry for her son.
Arthur smiled indifferently and replied:
"Don't worry, his brother Percy is a Prefect, and he also has two protective twin brothers, so Ron must be doing very well at school."
As he spoke, he shelled peanuts, put them in his mouth, and then took a large sip of black tea, looking very content.
Molly smiled and nodded,
"You're right. That brat, he even pushed Harry at the beginning of the term. I wonder how their relationship is now."
Arthur paused, then his smile faded, and his expression became somewhat solemn:
"Speaking of Harry, it suddenly occurred to me that his arrival at Hogwarts also means that You-Know-Who is lurking in the shadows. We must be vigilant at all times."
As a member of the Ministry of Magic, Arthur was naturally well-informed.
His words made Molly feel a hint of unease; she frowned: "Yes, I wonder where that person is now?"
However, Arthur quickly adjusted his emotions; he smiled and comforted Molly:
"But no matter what, we have to believe in our son, don't we? Ron is a smart and brave child, and he will definitely be able to handle all of this."
Just then, a bright light suddenly came from upstairs, illuminating the dining table downstairs.
This light seemed to penetrate the wooden floor, which was surprising.
Soon, the light disappeared again.
"Where did that light come from?" Molly frowned, somewhat puzzled.
Arthur did not speak, but his shock was immense.
Could it be that the Round Table Knight, who had disappeared for eight hundred years, had really appeared?
Chapter 77 The Fool
Looking at the sudden flash of light, Arthur Weasley's heart felt like it was being tossed by a raging storm.
His thoughts churned like waves, and family rumors he'd heard as a child kept surfacing in his mind.
The Weasley Family had always held an ancient secret: they were descendants of Arthur Pendragon, the legendary King Arthur.
Legend had it that whenever a Knight of the Round Table appeared, a golden light would flash in their home.
When Arthur was a child, this rumor was just a joke used by family elders to amuse him; he had never truly believed it.
After all, there were so many people named Arthur in the world; could everyone be a descendant of King Arthur?
Such a thought had always been deeply ingrained in his mind.
However, the sudden golden light made him re-examine this rumor.
A strange excitement and tension surged within him. Could the legend be true?
If a Knight of the Round Table truly appeared, then who summoned them?
...
At this moment, in the Principal's office at Hogwarts.
Dumbledore stood by the window, preparing to end his busy day and drift off to sleep.
This had been his habit for many years: every night, he would stand by the window, gazing at the world outside, especially the starry night sky.
"This year's first-year students are truly not easy to manage!" Dumbledore sighed softly, his brows slightly furrowed.
His heart was filled with worry and anticipation for the new students.
Harry Potter, the boy who lived, was undoubtedly the most eye-catching presence among this year's intake.
His arrival signaled that the future struggle with Lord Voldemort would become even more intense.
However, besides Harry, the magic talent displayed by Ron Weasley also surprised Dumbledore.
This seemingly ordinary youth possessed extraordinary potential, which made Dumbledore re-evaluate this year's new students.
"Hoo!" Dumbledore took a deep breath, exhaling the worries in his heart.
Two days ago, he noticed Ron, Harry, and others entering the Forbidden Forest.
Although the first layer of the Forbidden Forest was nothing to him, a powerful Wizard, he still felt a hint of unease. After all, many unknown dangers lurked deep within the Forbidden Forest.
After organizing his thoughts, Dumbledore prepared to sleep.
Just then, his Phoenix suddenly cried out twice.
"Clang! Clang!"
The clear sound, like the striking of metal and stone, was pleasant to the ear, breaking the night's tranquility.
"What's going on?" Dumbledore's brows furrowed tightly, a surge of confusion rising in his heart.
His Phoenix had not made such a sound for a long time, and every cry meant that something important was about to happen.
He quickly walked to the Phoenix's side, gently stroking its fiery red feathers, trying to get more information from it.
Suddenly, the Phoenix spoke in human language, its voice clear:
"Round Table Knight are present!"
Dumbledore's heart jolted. Round Table Knight?
This phrase caused a huge stir in his mind.
He knew that the secrets of the Round Table Knight were hidden in the Restricted Section of the Hogwarts library; the general collection only introduced some superficial celtic mythology.
However, as a knowledgeable Wizard.
He knew that King Arthur, Merlin, and the Round Table Knight were all real historical figures.
He noted that the Phoenix speaking in human language was in itself an extremely rare occurrence.
Phoenixes are mysterious and powerful creatures; their language often contains profound wisdom and the ability to foretell the future.
Moreover, every word spoken by the Phoenix represented something that would definitely happen; their prophecies had never been wrong.
Dumbledore took a deep breath, trying to calm his inner excitement.
He knew that the Phoenix would not make such a prophecy without reason; some important information must be hidden behind it.
Round Table Knight are present. What did this mean?
First, one thing was clear: the Phoenix's words about the Round Table Knight being present undoubtedly foreshadowed the end of Lord Voldemort.
This brought Dumbledore genuine relief; his long-cherished wish seemed finally about to come true.
He no longer had to worry day and night about the rise of that dark force, which was undoubtedly a liberation for him.
However, Dumbledore knew that the end of Lord Voldemort did not mean the end of all crises.
His own strength was sufficient to contend with Lord Voldemort, but the existence of the Round Table Knight was clearly to deal with an even deeper crisis.
He clearly knew that the enemies the Round Table Knight dealt with were by no means comparable to Lord Voldemort.
The demons sealed underground, their power and terror, far surpassed Lord Voldemort.
Dumbledore's approach to problems was always comprehensive and profound.
While he was happy about the presence of the Round Table Knight, he also knew the omens hidden behind it.
Those demons buried deep underground might soon break free from their seals and reappear in the world.
The Round Table Knight, who had not appeared for eight hundred years, their appearance was by no means accidental; it must be because the current crisis had exceeded their expectations.
Dumbledore's heart was filled with doubt and unease.
He racked his brains, what was this crisis even bigger than Lord Voldemort?
He stood by the window, his gaze piercing through the night, staring at the dark Forbidden Forest.
...
On the other side, in the white space, Ron had just completed the sword-bestowing ceremony for Peeves, and a solemn and mysterious aura still permeated the air.
Suddenly, another white transparent panel appeared before him, clearly displaying a line of text:
"Do you want to name Peeves?"
Immediately following, a striking line of small red text appeared below the panel:
"Warning: Your naming will have a significant impact on the future development of the Round Table Knight!"
This line of text seemed to carry an indescribable power, causing Ron's heart rate to involuntarily quicken.
Ron was surprised: Will naming have such a big impact?
He was a master of naming, but this situation seemed somewhat unusual.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his excitement, and began to think seriously.
Ron's finger gently tapped his temple; his well-defined knuckles stood out clearly in the white space.
Various possible names flashed through his mind, but each was quickly rejected.
Finally, after much deliberation, he thought of a suitable name.
"Then let's call him 'Fool'!"
Ron said softly. He planned to use Tarot card names, and Peeves' image was indeed somewhat similar to a clown.
This name not only fit Peeves' characteristics but also carried a profound meaning.
Ron softly uttered the words "Fool," as if an invisible force was released with them.
Ron also felt all his strength drain away.
Chapter 78: The panel is full of question marks?
As Ron softly uttered the word "Fool," the scene in the pure white space changed.
The three figures that had been standing silently beside Peeves seemed to be pulled by some invisible force, gradually fading until they completely disappeared.
The armor and spurs they had been holding also slowly merged into Peeves' body under the influence of this force, as if injecting him with new vitality.
Peeves' body, which had been kneeling, began to slowly rise, his arms and legs spread wide, like a giant 'Great' character suspended in the air.
Immediately after, his body was enveloped by a dazzling white light, which flickered erratically, as if containing infinite power.
Ron couldn't help but inwardly complain: Is this an Armored Warrior transforming?
But to be fair, it was actually quite good.
Within the white light, Peeves' body began to undergo astonishing changes.
His originally short stature gradually grew taller, from about 1.2 meters to an astonishing 1.9 meters.
Although his figure appeared somewhat hazy in the white light, Ron could still feel the powerful force continuously accumulating.
Soon, the dazzling white light gradually dissipated, and Ron was finally able to clearly witness the full appearance of this Knight.
He wore a suit of platinum-gold armor, intricately edged with gold, like stars adorning the night sky, shimmering with brilliant light.
On the right breastplate of the armor, a rose pattern caught the eye, as if possessing some mysterious power that made the entire suit of armor exude a noble and elegant aura.
Draped over the back of the armor was a red cape, which gently fluttered with the Knight's movements, like a burning flame.
The Knight's head was encased in a full-face helmet, with only a black slit in the middle, preventing anyone from seeing his true face.
But from the firm gaze emanating from that black slit, Ron could feel his power.
On the Knight's right side, a longsword hung silently, its blade gleaming coldly, as if ready to be drawn at any moment.
The entire Knight gave off a medieval feel, like a figure from an ancient legend.
He slowly descended from the air, each step steady and powerful.
Upon landing, he knelt on one knee and recited, "Greetings, my King."
His voice was strong and resonant, echoing through the space.
As his body moved, the armor on him clanged together, producing a crisp sound.
Ron's heart was immediately filled with complex emotions, and he thought, "Oh no, now everyone will think I'm King Arthur? This misunderstanding is huge."
He tried to suppress the chaotic thoughts in his mind, reminding himself that he should now refer to this Knight as the Fool.
Ron's gaze turned to the Fool's panel, but the information on it made him even more confused.
Name: Fool
Race: ???
Level: Foundation Establishment Initial Stage
Bloodline: ???
Ron frowned, his mind full of questions: "What? Why are both race and bloodline question marks? What exactly is going on?"
He tried to recall the process of summoning the Fool, attempting to find the reason.
Suddenly, he realized that the panel was generated based on his understanding of the world.
Didn't these question marks mean that the Fool's existence had exceeded his scope of understanding?
Ron took a deep breath, a strange sense of reverence rising in his heart.
"Phew, what kind of existence did I summon after all?!"
He muttered to himself, his heart filled with curiosity and awe for the unknown.
At this moment, Ron suddenly remembered the description of the Fool in the Tarot cards.
The Fool is the first card of the Major Arcana in Tarot, unnumbered, also known as number 0 or 22.
It symbolizes the beginning and end of all Tarot cards, representing infinite possibilities.
"This also fits the description of my first Round Table Knight…" Ron murmured to himself, gaining a deeper understanding of the Fool's identity and power.
Ron's thoughts began to drift, and he curiously imagined what kind of existences the future Round Table Knight he summoned would be.
However, the practical problems pulled him back from his fantasy.
He realized that what he needed to focus on now was the current situation and how to exit this mysterious white space.
Ron pondered silently, trying to establish a connection with this space.
With a thought, the Knight's figure in front of him gradually faded, eventually disappearing completely.
He felt himself returning to his original body, and the four golden-armored divine figures around him also vanished without a trace.
He found himself back in the corridor.
The surrounding black mist had dissipated, and everything seemed to have returned to normal.
He turned to look at the altar and found that the three incense sticks had extinguished, obviously because the time was up.
"Just now, why did you suddenly space out for half a minute?" Hermione's voice sounded in his ear, and she looked at Ron with a hint of confusion.
"It's nothing, nothing." Ron replied softly, not wanting to explain too much about what had just happened.
From Hermione's perspective, he had gone to the white space, but in her eyes, he had only been lost in thought for half a minute.
Hermione didn't press further, understanding that everyone had their secrets.
She then asked, "Where's Peeves? Where did he go?"
Ron then remembered Peeves and curiously checked his hand.
At this moment, he found that he seemed to be holding something in his hand. He opened his palm, and a metal card appeared before him.
This card was precisely his previous token.
It had now transformed into a metal card. One side depicted the image of the Fool singing loudly, clearly in the style of a Tarot card.
The back was engraved with the four characters "Ron's Edict."
Ron took a deep breath, mobilizing the surging spiritual energy within his body.
As the spiritual energy flowed, Peeves' figure gradually emerged from the void.
Surprisingly, he did not appear in the form of the Fool, but maintained his original appearance, short and mischievous.
"Greetings, my Master."
Peeves respectfully floated into the air, doffed his hat, and bowed.
His attitude was completely different from his previous arrogance, as if he had become a different person.
Hermione stood by, witnessing all of this, and couldn't help but feel a strong shock.
She felt that tonight's experience was simply too thrilling, almost unbelievable.
She had originally thought she would be humiliated by Peeves in every way, but she didn't expect Ronto subdue Peeves so obediently with just a slight movement.
While Hermione was speaking, Ron gradually figured out how to use this card.
He discovered that with just a thought, he could transform Peeves into the Knight form of the Fool.
This power made him feel both novel and excited.
"Hahaha, Peeves is indeed nothing more than this." Ron chuckled softly.
At this moment, The Bloody Baron, who had been sent downstairs, also returned to the eighth floor.
Seeing Peeves so respectful to Ron, he was greatly surprised, and a strange emotion surged in his heart.
"Huh? When did Peeves become so well-behaved?" The Bloody Baron couldn't help but exclaim.
Chapter 79: Meeting Merlin Again
After Ron's clever explanation, The Bloody Baron finally understood the whole situation.
Of course, Ron couldn't reveal the true reason, as it was his trump card.
When he saw The Bloody Baron's formidable combat power, a sudden urge to recruit him as a subordinate welled up in his heart.
But Ron quickly suppressed this impulse, as he had just used all his spiritual power to subdue Peevesand was now powerless.
Ron casually told The Bloody Baron that he had subdued Peeves with his exceptional combat prowess.
The Baron, fully convinced, gave Ron a thumbs-up and exclaimed, "What a young hero!"
With that, he transformed into a wisp of wind and swiftly vanished down the corridor.
After explaining everything, Ron let out a long sigh of relief.
He chuckled to himself, thinking how easily ghosts were fooled.
But Ron also knew that the most important thing now was how to make Peeves play his intended role.
He suppressed his smile, and his expression became serious.
Turning to Hermione, he said, "Hermione, you should go back first; I still have some things to deal with."
Hermione, seeing Ron's serious expression, was curious but still nodded obediently, responding, "Alright, I know. I'll go back first; you should also return to the dormitory early!" With that, she scurried back to Gryffindor Tower.
Watching Hermione's retreating figure, Ron fell into deep thought.
He began to carefully consider the role Peeves could play.
It was obvious that Peeves, now transformed into the Fool Knight, could provide a significant boost in combat power, but his Foundation Establishment Initial Stage strength was still a bit weak.
He would have to take him to the Forbidden Forest to level up by fighting monsters.
He planned to lead him deep into the Forbidden Forest in the future, gradually enhancing his abilities through monster hunting and training.
Aside from his combat advantages, Peeves's position within the academy was also not to be underestimated.
As a ghost, he roamed freely throughout the academy, and almost no one, except Dean Dumbledore, could restrain him.
Now, Ron had become his master.
This meant that, within the confines of the academy, Peeves could almost be considered an invincible existence.
Utilizing this characteristic, Ron could entrust him with handling some tricky affairs within the school.
Whether it was sneaking into the Restricted Section to steal precious books or carrying out other secret missions, Peeves could be a capable assistant.
Of course, for those of us who love knowledge...
How can a scholar's actions be called stealing?
More importantly, Peeves also possessed a special ability—he could almost act as a mobile surveillance system, covering every corner of the entire academy.
Everything he saw and heard would be transmitted to Ron's mind without omission.
However, Ron also knew that the power of Peeves alone, as a single ghost, was limited.
While his range of movement was extensive, he ultimately couldn't cover the entire academy.
Therefore, Ron couldn't help but have a daring idea—if he could successfully subdue all the ghosts in the academy, then every move within the entire academy would be under his control.
This would provide him with unparalleled informational advantage, allowing him to better discern the academy's dynamics.
Next, Ron decided to bide his time; he planned to let Peeves continue to prank students as usual.
After all, if Peeves's personality suddenly changed drastically, it would inevitably attract attention and suspicion from others.
As for stealing books, Ron intended to make it an "encore" after Peeves's pranks.
This would both maintain Peeves's usual behavior patterns and subtly achieve his own goals.
After thinking all this through, Ron said to Peeves:
"From now on, you'll act as usual, and when you have time, go to the Restricted Section and bring me a book. You can leave the book in the lavatory, and I'll pick it up myself."
Peeves, after hearing this, let out a triumphant laugh, clearly delighted with tasks like pranking and stealing books.
He quickly reverted to his usual mischievous personality and then vanished from the eighth floor.
Watching Peeves's departing figure, Ron breathed a sigh of relief.
Although it was the weekend, he had done quite a lot this week.
He hummed a cheerful tune as he walked back to the dormitory, thinking, "Finally, I can get a good night's sleep."
As Ron was about to reach Gryffindor Tower, a familiar yet mysterious voice suddenly echoed in his ears.
"Ho ho ho, My King, it seems you have found your first Knight of the Round Table."
Ron's heart jolted, and he immediately looked around, trying to find the source of the voice.
This voice was all too familiar to him; it was the old man Merlin, who always gave him riddles.
However, Ron looked around, and besides the portraits hanging on the wall, there was nothing else.
"Don't look, My King. I'm right here." A slight cough came from nearby, and Ron followed the sound, finally seeing the source—a portrait.
The portrait depicted a wizard in a violet robe, who was Merlin.
"I told you, My King, we would meet again."
Merlin in the portrait chuckled, as if everything was within his expectations.
Ron looked at Merlin in the portrait, and a surge of anger welled up in his heart.
This old man always spoke in riddles, leaving people confused.
Riddlers should all die!
"Hey, you old geezer, how did you end up in a portrait?" Ron said grumpily.
Merlin sighed dramatically, feigning sadness: "My King, why do you speak to me with such an attitude now? I'm very sad!"
He continued to explain: "The me in the portrait is equivalent to one of my clones; naturally, it's not the original me. But I can communicate with you through this clone and offer you some guidance and help."
Ron pondered for a moment, but ultimately couldn't resist asking the confusion in his heart:
"Then how do you know I am King Arthur? I pass by here almost every day, why didn't you say anything before, but now you suddenly tell me?"
Merlin maintained his mysterious smile, speaking cryptically:
"My King, when you summoned me before, I already perceived everything. But at that time, you had not truly awakened and had not yet become the true King Arthur."
Ron was even more confused after hearing this:
"So, am I King Arthur now?"
Merlin shook his head, saying profoundly:
"No, no, no, you cannot yet bear the great surname Pendragon. You are still on the path to awakening, but you have taken an important step."
Ron found that no matter how much he pressed, Merlin always responded with such vague words.
He felt a bit helpless, so he changed the question: "Then how did you know I summoned a Knight of the Round Table?"
Merlin smiled and replied, "It's the scent."
"The scent?" Ron looked puzzled, "What scent?"
Chapter 80 Merlin's Mission
Ron's eyes showed a hint of confusion when he heard the word "scent."
The word didn't seem to connect with any special meaning in his mind, and he couldn't immediately grasp its deeper implications.
Seeing this, Merlin smiled and explained, "Scent, it's not just an ordinary word; it represents the noble and pure aura emanating from the Round Table Knight."
His voice was filled with solemnity.
Following that, Merlin said with a serious expression, "My heart and actions are as clear as a mirror, and all I do is for justice.
This saying is the motto of the Round Table Knight."
However, Merlin seemed not entirely satisfied with this; he gently shook his head, his deep eyes revealing a profound meaning:
"However, My King, you still have a long way to go!"
Ron pouted, "Old man, are you trying to act like a Bull Demon?"
"Bull Demon? What does Bull Demon mean?" Merlin asked with a puzzled expression.
"I'm complimenting you!" Ron was speechless with this old man.
You are strong, I admit it.
But, speaking in riddles all the time is too much.
Ron chuckled and shook his head, teasing Merlin, "Alright, old man, you didn't really call me over just for this little matter, did you?"
Merlin smiled and shook his head, replying, "No, My King, your journey is far from over.
You need to redouble your efforts and continue to find the next Knight of the Round Table to complete our mission."
Ron couldn't help but laugh when he heard this:
"What about you? Are you just going to stay in this portrait, doing nothing, waiting to see me make a fool of myself?"
However, Merlin was not moved by his teasing; instead, he showed a mysterious expression:
"No, no, no, when you find the next Knight of the Round Table, I will naturally show you the way to the Sword in the Stone."
His voice revealed a hint of mystery, as if he already held all the secrets.
When Ron heard the words "Sword in the Stone," a hint of surprise and doubt flashed in his eyes.
He knew King Arthur's Sword in the Stone was a legendary divine sword, but he hadn't expected Merlin to possess clues about it.
A strong desire for knowledge welled up in his heart, wanting to get more information from Merlin.
So, Ron's tone became more respectful and serious: "The Sword in the Stone! You actually have clues about it!?"
"Indeed, the Sword in the Stone is inscribed with golden words: 'Whoso pulleth out this sword from this stone and anvil, is rightwise king born of all England.'"
Merlin, with a somewhat playful smile, slowly recounted this ancient legend.
Ron's eyes flashed with eagerness upon hearing this, and he pressed on:
"What then? After pulling out the sword, what happens?" His voice revealed curiosity and longing for the unknown.
Merlin replied nonchalantly, "After that, of course, it will depend on My King's efforts."
Ron felt a bit dissatisfied when he heard this, and he threatened, "Believe it or not, I'll burn this painting of yours?"
However, Merlin was completely unfazed; he smiled faintly:
"Burning it is useless, My King.
This portrait is merely a projection of me; the real me still exists elsewhere."
Seeing this, Ron knew that threats were useless and had to give up for the time being.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions, and then said:
"Alright, then can you reveal some useful information? For example, what's so special about this Sword in the Stone?"
Merlin seemed touched by Ron's persistence; he slowly said:
"What I can tell you is that this Sword in the Stone is no ordinary object.
You will need to forge it with your own hands, and it will be more powerful than any weapon you've ever possessed.
As for more information, you will need to explore and discover it yourself."
Ron turned and left with a calm expression, but his heart was surging with excitement and anticipation.
He knew that his destiny was closely linked to this Sword in the Stone, and he would constantly strive for this goal.
Merlin, with a mischievous grin, watched Ron's retreating figure, secretly pleased.
He knew that he had successfully ignited Ron's curiosity and fighting spirit, and the journey ahead would be even more exciting and thrilling.
Ron walked back to his dormitory, pondering what Merlin had just said.
He knew that the Sword in the Stone represented divine right, an important symbol in King Arthur's legend.
And now, Merlin was telling him to forge this sword; what deep meaning was hidden within this?
He pondered, various possibilities constantly emerging in his mind.
Perhaps, this Sword in the Stone was not just a weapon, but also a link between the past and the future, the key to proving his royal identity.
Ron knew that he couldn't act blindly based on a few words from Merlin.
He needed to carefully consider every step of his action plan to ensure he could successfully pull out the Sword in the Stone.
...
Ron's hurried steps quickly brought him back to the dormitory door.
Pushing the door open, he found the lights in the dorm still on, and his roommates were still awake.
Harry saw him return and asked, "Ron, where did you go?
Your two brothers just came looking for you, and left when they didn't find you."
His tone revealed a hint of concern.
Ron's heart stirred, and he casually asked, "Did they say anything?"
Harry shook his head, replying, "No, they just said if you had time, you could go find them."
Ron nodded, indicating that he understood.
He secretly mused that he had indeed discussed with the Weasley Twins before about preparing some small items for them to sell.
It was just that he had been too busy in the cave these past two days, so he hadn't had time to prepare this matter.
However, Ron already had an idea in his mind.
He quickly opened his backpack, which still contained some cinnabar and talismans he had prepared earlier.
Ron planned to use his talisman art to draw some talismans.
Ron turned around, showing a half-smile to his roommates, and slowly said:
"I'm going to teach you some things, and if you're really willing to learn, I'm naturally happy to teach."
Harry's curiosity was instantly ignited, and he eagerly asked:
"Ron, what is it exactly?
Tell us quickly!"
His other roommates also showed great interest; they gathered around Ron, their eyes full of anticipation.
Ron looked at them, a proud smile playing on his lips, and deliberately teased:
"I'm just afraid that if I teach you, you won't be able to learn, and then don't come crying!"
Seamus was impatient, and he couldn't help but be the first to ask:
"Ron, stop being so secretive, what is it, tell us quickly!"
Ron then revealed the answer, saying seriously, "What I'm going to teach you is talisman art!"
"Talisman art?" His roommates exclaimed almost simultaneously, their faces showing expressions of surprise.
Chapter 81 Fireball
Ron replied, "Since that's the case, I'll demonstrate the Talisman Spell for you all."
Immediately, Ron walked to the desk and took out the talismans and cinnabar he had prepared earlier.
He gently stroked the talisman, feeling its rough texture, and a strange sense of familiarity welled up in his heart.
Then, he took out a quill, planning to make do with it for now.
He pondered what talisman would be most suitable to draw, quickly weighing various factors in his mind.
The most suitable would certainly be the simplest, as this would attract more buyers and yield the highest economic benefits.
After some thought, Ron decided to draw a Fireball Spell talisman.
This spell was both practical and easy to understand, making it an excellent introductory choice for his roommates, who were new to the Talisman Spell.
"What in the world are you doing?"
His roommates gathered around curiously, looking at the talisman and cinnabar in Ron's hand, their faces showing expressions of doubt.
Ron chuckled softly and reassured them:
"Don't worry, you'll know in a moment." He explained the principles of the Talisman Spell while his hands never stopped moving.
"A talisman," he explained, "is the act of attaching divine power in the form of 'symbols' to specified 'words' or graphics, and writing them on specific objects. These symbols and words contain profound power and mysteries, and only through specific methods and techniques can their power be activated."
As he spoke, Ron took out a piece of yellow paper and gently placed it in the center of the table. He picked up the quill, dipped it in an appropriate amount of cinnabar, and began to draw on the yellow paper.
"So, you're trying to activate power by drawing?" Dean asked, looking puzzled, seemingly incredulous at this novel method.
"Can patterns drawn on paper really work?" Seamus's curiosity was fully piqued. He leaned closer, carefully observing the talisman in Ron's hand.
"Hey, this is really something new."
Neville also looked completely bewildered. He scratched his head, trying to understand the mystery behind it.
Although Harry knew of Ron's abilities, hearing them say that a piece of paper with a drawing on it could be offensive still made him feel a bit strange.
He couldn't help but ask, "What kind of power does this talisman have?"
However, Ron ignored the chatter around him, concentrating fully on his drawing.
Drawing talismans requires a calm and peaceful mind, needing to eliminate all internal distractions and focus only on every detail under the brush.
Moreover, Ron was using the supreme Talisman Spell, an extremely profound spell that requires very high cultivation and insight to master.
Therefore, even with people disturbing him nearby, he could continue drawing without a ripple in his heart.
The Fireball Spell is a relatively simple spell talisman, but even so, it requires precise mastery of every step and detail.
Ron mobilized the spiritual energy within his body, gathered it at the tip of his brush, and then, following the pattern of the Fireball Spell, drew stroke by stroke.
Soon, the first Fireball Spell talisman was completed.
Ron quietly waited for the cinnabar ink to dry, then gently picked up the talisman, shook it twice, removing any excess cinnabar powder.
Finally, he blew a gentle breath, and the talisman was complete.
Ron gently picked up the newly drawn talisman and, smiling, handed it to Harry.
"You can all try the power of this talisman," Ron chuckled, his words full of confidence.
However, Harry and the others seemed a bit confused.
They held the talisman, looking left and right, but couldn't make sense of it.
Neville, Dean, and Seamus also crowded around, curiously examining the seemingly ordinary yellow paper.
Seeing this, Ron couldn't help but secretly smile.
He knew that for these beginners, the Talisman Spell was indeed a mysterious and unfamiliar field.
So, Ron patiently explained:
"This talisman is the Fireball Spell talisman I just drew. Later, walk over to the window, silently chant the incantation 'Fireball Spell' in your mind, and then forcefully throw this talisman out. Remember, you must feel the power within the talisman with your heart to unleash its maximum power."
After hearing Ron's explanation, Harry and the others finally understood a little.
Seamus asked curiously, "Is that all it takes? Can it really conjure fire?"
Ron smiled slightly, not answering directly, but instead motioned for them to try it as he had instructed.
He believed that when they witnessed the power of the Fireball Spell talisman with their own eyes, all their doubts would vanish.
"Okay, I'll give it a try." Seamus took the talisman from Harry's hand, his face showing a hint of curiosity, but more so doubt and distrust.
Ron looked at him, somewhat hesitant to speak.
He secretly worried, as Seamus had no foundation in the Talisman Spell, and he couldn't be entirely sure if this talisman would explode.
Ron couldn't help but remind him, "Remember to throw it far."
He was afraid that Seamus, lacking experience, might cause the talisman to explode nearby, which would lead to Snape coming to cause trouble.
"Got it, got it."
Seamus replied somewhat impatiently. He eagerly walked to the window and forcefully pushed it open.
A cool breeze swept in, making him shiver involuntarily.
However, this did not diminish his curiosity about the Talisman Spell.
He took a deep breath, then silently chanted "Fireball Spell" in his mind.
Immediately after, he forcefully threw the talisman out. The talisman drew a graceful arc in the air, gradually disappearing from sight.
"That's all, it's nothing much..." Seamus was about to say these words.
Suddenly, the talisman violently exploded in the air, and a giant Fireball instantly appeared. Flames burned fiercely in the air, emitting a dazzling light.
However, this light did not last too long, quickly dimming, and the Fireball disappeared with it.
"Who has no public decency! Using magic at night?" An angry voice suddenly came from downstairs.
"Exactly, what are you doing awake so late at night?!" Someone else echoed.
Seamus was so scared that he quickly closed the window, then turned around.
At this moment, his face was already covered in dust, obviously from the smoke produced by the Fireball explosion just now.
He looked at Ron, a mix of embarrassment and terror on his face: "What... what just happened?"
Seeing Seamus's face smudged with ash, his roommates couldn't help but burst into laughter, their laughter echoing in the room.
Ron also couldn't help but smile, saying to Seamus:
"That's the Fireball Spell! How does it feel, little brother?" His eyes sparkled with a playful light.
He also silently assessed the power of this Fireball Spell in his mind, feeling that the effect was quite good, with moderate power that would neither cause too much destruction nor fail to let his roommates witness the power of the Talisman Spell.
Ron certainly had the ability to create a more powerful "Great Fireball Technique."
Of course, that would be a different price.
Ron planned to proceed step by step, first letting his roommates master the basic Talisman Spell, and then gradually increasing the difficulty and power.
He turned and said to his roommates, "So, do you want to learn the Talisman Spell now?"
His roommates looked at the talisman in Ron's hand, their hearts already shaken by the Fireball Spell, and all expressed their desire to learn.
Harry even said directly, "Brother, I'm convinced, I really want to learn!"
Ron smiled faintly:
"It'll cost extra!"
Chapter 82 Drawing Talismans
"What, we have to pay more?" The others began to regret after hearing Ron's words.
If they had known that Ron's move was so powerful, they would have agreed at the very beginning.
Looking at their hesitant expressions, Ron knew what was going on.
Among them, besides Harry, who had money on him?
"It's fine, it's still the same — if you don't have money, then sell yourselves to earn it!" Ron said with a half-smile.
What did he mean, sell themselves?
As soon as these words came out, the roommates looked at each other, their faces filled with surprise and uncertainty.
A strange fear rose in their hearts, and they unconsciously took a step back.
Seeing this, Ron gently rubbed his forehead and patiently explained:
"When I say 'sell yourselves', I don't mean literally selling yourselves. What I mean is, I'll teach you how to draw talismans, and after you draw them, you sell them, and the money you earn goes to me. Do you understand?"
Only then did the others realize, and they all nodded in understanding.
However, Ron's next words left them a bit confused again:
"Additionally, if the talisman drawing fails, the cost of those failed talismans will also be included. Do you understand?"
The others looked at each other, their faces showing confusion.
Seeing this, Ron explained, "Newbies are prone to making mistakes when drawing talismans, and the cinnabar and talisman paper I provide also have a cost. So, if the talismans you draw can't be sold, then these costs will be deducted from your income."
After hearing Ron's explanation, the roommates finally understood.
They secretly sighed, realizing that learning real skills from Ron was truly not an easy task!
However, since they had already decided to learn, they could only bite the bullet and go for it.
Seamus said nonchalantly:
"It's just drawing talismans, isn't it? It sounds similar to drawing, how hard can it be?" He recalled the scene of Ron drawing talismans just now; his movements were smooth and natural, seeming really simple.
Dean also nodded in agreement:
"Yeah, isn't it just drawing with a pen? What could be difficult about it?"
However, Harry knew that Ron wasn't speaking idly.
He quietly pondered, thinking that since Ron said so, drawing talismans must be different from ordinary drawing.
So, he spoke up: "Perhaps, this is really different from ordinary drawing…"
Neville listened to Harry's words and also nodded in agreement: "Yes, it's possible."
Ron looked at their reactions, secretly chuckling to himself.
I'm afraid you won't make mistakes.
If you don't make mistakes, how can I make money?
So, he smiled and said, "Exactly, I'll draw another one now, you all watch carefully, and I'll explain as I draw."
He sat upright at his desk, picked up his quill, and dipped it in cinnabar.
Then, he took a deep breath and began to mobilize the spiritual energy within his body.
"First, you need to draw upon the spiritual energy within your body."
Ron said, and then began to draw the talisman with his pen.
He felt the spiritual energy flowing through his body, then gradually gathering in his wrist.
"Next, move the spiritual energy to your wrist, and then from your wrist to the tip of the pen."
As Ron spoke, the pen in his hand began to move.
Ron's pen tip danced like a dragon or snake, and with flowing movements, a talisman was completed.
His speed was so astonishing that his roommates' eyes widened, and they exclaimed in disbelief, "It's already done?"
Ron smiled slightly, pulled out a stack of forty talismans and a box of cinnabar ink from his bag, and handed them all to Harry.
He instructed:
"Harry, you distribute these talismans and cinnabar ink to them."
Afterward, he waved away his roommates who were gathered around him, preparing to draw some more precious and valuable talismans.
He already had a plan in mind.
He would draw defensive talismans like the Qi Shield Technique, as well as the Great Fireball Technique, which was more powerful than the Fireball Spell, and the extraordinarily potent Five Thunder Talisman.
After Harry, Neville, and the others received their talismans and cinnabar ink, they each returned to their desks to try drawing talismans.
Harry found that he started drawing quite smoothly, but he always failed to complete the last step coherently. He understood that this was because his control over spiritual energy was not yet proficient enough and required more practice.
Seamus's situation was even worse.
Halfway through his drawing, he suddenly found himself unable to continue.
The quill was as if frozen, unmoving. He tried multiple times, but each time the result was the same.
It wasn't until he stopped transmitting spiritual energy into the pen that the quill could finally be put down.
Ron did not pay too much attention to his roommates' conditions; he knew that he had already taught them everything he could, and anything more depended on their individual comprehension.
He focused on drawing advanced talismans such as the Great Fireball Technique, Qi Shield Technique, and Five Thunder Talisman, until late at night when he was ready to go to bed.
Meanwhile, his roommates also looked exhausted and sleepy from drawing talismans.
After all, drawing talismans not only consumed energy but also spiritual power, especially for beginners like them, it was even more taxing.
Ron walked over to Seamus and gently patted his shoulder.
He noticed that Seamus had only drawn five talismans all night, and none of them were successful.
He asked with a half-smile, "How do you feel, Seamus?"
Seamus responded with a bitter face, "These talismans are really hard to draw!"
Ron smiled and shook his head, saying, "It's still the same — if you're bad, practice more."
After speaking, he went to his other roommates to check their progress.
He found that Harry had successfully drawn one talisman, while Dean had not succeeded.
Neville, surprisingly, had successfully drawn two, which greatly surprised him.
"Neville, well done!" Ron praised.
Neville scratched his head, responding somewhat shyly, "It's alright, I owe it to your guidance, Ron."
Ron nodded, encouraging, "Very good, keep it up. Let's stop here for today, everyone rest first, and we'll continue tomorrow."
...
As night deepened, Ron lay tiredly in bed, looking back at this fulfilling and busy weekend.
In a short period of time, he seemed to have experienced many things.
Opening his own cave dwelling deep in the Forbidden Forest and subduing a group of loyal subordinates, it all felt like a dream-like adventure.
What excited him even more was that he was gradually unraveling the mystery of the Round Table Knight.
And what made Ron most proud was that he finally had his own combat power.
He lay in bed, his thoughts racing.
The road ahead was still long, and he knew he had more things to do.
He planned to go to Knockturn Alley or Hogsmeade Village to sell his excess magic items and exchange them for more resources and wealth.
Ron felt like he had an inexhaustible gold mine, but unfortunately, this wealth could not be immediately converted into cash. He could only wait patiently, looking for the right time and buyers.
Amidst endless thoughts, Ron gradually fell into a deep sleep.
Tomorrow would be a new day.
Chapter 83 The Shocked Weasley Twins
Soon, morning arrived, and the sunlight gently streamed through the window, falling on the red-haired Ron's face, warm and bright.
He let out a long breath, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and awoke from his slumber.
Ron felt his abilities had improved again; he seemed to have already touched the threshold of foundation building.
He subconsciously checked his panel, his gaze lingering on the various data.
Name: Ron Weasley
Race: Human
Level: 9th Layer Qi Practitioner / LV25 Wizard
Talent: Heaven-Defying Comprehension
Bloodline: Innate Dao Body, Weasley Hidden Bloodline (Unlock Progress 15%)
Divine Abilities: All Low-Tier magic
Tier 4: Occlumency
Tier 5: Nebula Swordplay, Swimming Dragon Body Technique
Tier 6: Soul Binding, Seventy-Two Earth Fiend Arts - False Form, Supreme-Grade Tai Chi Breathing Method
Tier 9: The Great Dream Breathing Technique, Dragon-Elephant Body Tempering Art
magic Treasures: gryffindor sword, merlin card (charging), Four Immortal Slaying Swords, Spider Demon Robe, 'Soul Control' Three-Piece Set
Talismans: Fireball Spell, Great Fireball Technique, Qi Shield Spell, Five Thunder Talisman
Skills: Elementary Alchemy, Supreme Alchemy, Supreme Talisman Crafting, God-level Beast Control Technique, God-level Culinary Arts
Looking at his panel, Ron's face showed a satisfied smile.
He found that his cultivation had reached the ninth layer of Qi Refinement, just one step away from the tenth layer.
At this rate, he would be able to successfully break through to the tenth layer of Qi Refinement tomorrow, and the day after, he would even be able to enter foundation building.
This thought made Ron incredibly excited; he seemed to have already seen his power after foundation building.
In his previous life, Ron had read many cultivation novels, and he deeply understood what foundation building meant for a cultivator.
Many Qi practitioners fought tooth and nail for a single foundation building Pill, but Ron did not have such worries.
foundation building was as simple as drinking water for him.
However, Ron also knew that foundation building was not the end, but a new beginning.
He looked forward to having even greater power after foundation building to explore this magical world full of miracles.
Just then, Ron suddenly thought of a question:
Would his foundation building involve a lightning tribulation?
In cultivation novels, foundation building was often accompanied by the descent of a heavenly tribulation, which was a test for cultivators.
Ron decided to enter the Forbidden Forest again tomorrow night; he knew that if he encountered a lightning tribulation during foundation building on Wednesday morning, it would be safer to deal with it in the cave dwelling.
After all, if a lightning tribulation erupted over the school, it would cause unnecessary trouble.
His gaze inadvertently fell on another line of text on the panel — 'Weasley Hidden Bloodline (Unlock Progress 15%)'.
Ron recalled that the reason this progress had accelerated was precisely because he had successfully subdued a Knight of the Round Table.
This 10% increase gave him hope.
Ron mused that if he found 9 more Round Table Knight, the progress would reach an astonishing 95%.
As for the remaining 5%, he believed that with a little effort, he would always find a way to unlock it.
He took a deep breath, lamenting that this task was truly not easy.
However, Ron was completely unaware of the true meaning of the Weasley Hidden Bloodline.
A wave of curiosity surged in his heart; what exactly was this bloodline?
Could it be the legendary King Arthur bloodline?
Ron quickly cast these thoughts aside; he knew he had more urgent tasks at hand.
He was eager to find his twin brothers because he was worried that not finding them yesterday about selling items would make them suspicious.
So, Ron quickly finished his washing up and then hurried towards his brothers' dormitory.
However, upon reaching the dormitory, he found that they were not there.
After a moment of thought, Ron decided to try his luck in the Great Hall, perhaps he would find them there.
Passing through the corridor of Gryffindor Tower, Ron followed the complex stairs all the way down, finally arriving at the Great Hall on the first floor.
As soon as he entered, he saw his two brothers sitting at the long table enjoying breakfast, chatting and laughing as they ate.
Ron smiled and walked over to them, gently pulling up a chair and sitting down.
His sudden appearance startled his two brothers; they stared at Ron with wide eyes, expressions of surprise on their faces.
"Ron, where did you go last night?" Fred spoke first, his tone carrying a hint of concern and curiosity.
"Yeah, you were nowhere to be seen so late," George added, frowning slightly.
However, Ron's mind was not on this matter at the moment.
He suddenly thought of a shocking fact.
He had a deep blood relationship with Fred and George.
If he truly possessed the King Arthur bloodline, then they should also possess this bloodline.
But the question was, why hadn't Merlin sought them out?
Even more puzzling was that besides Fred and George, his twin brothers, he had three other brothers, meaning a total of five brothers, yet none of them had been chosen by Merlin.
What exactly was going on?
A strange confusion surged in Ron's heart.
Especially when he remembered that his father's name was Arthur Weasley.
Logically, the title of King Arthur should be inherited by his father, not fall to him.
Ron truly could not understand the reason behind this.
He shook his head, deciding not to delve deeper into this issue.
After all, the more he thought about it, the more questions seemed to arise, and it seemed unnecessary to investigate further.
So, Ron refocused his attention on the conversation with his brothers, intending to continue their previous topic.
"It's nothing, I took care of some private matters last night, but I've already prepared the things you need to sell for you."
Ron responded with a smile, taking a stack of talismans from his backpack.
His two brothers curiously leaned over, looking at the talismans in Ron's hand, a hint of confusion on their faces.
They found it hard to imagine that these seemingly ordinary sheets of paper could actually be sold for money.
Ron did not directly address their confusion but changed the subject:
"Did you see the fireball outside yesterday?"
At the mention of this, his two brothers immediately became animated.
Fred excitedly said:
"I really did see it! I wonder which seventh-year senior did it; that's truly amazing!"
George also echoed:
"Exactly! That display, you could tell it was a seventh-year senior practicing advanced magic!"
Ron smiled slightly and said mysteriously:
"If I told you that fireball was caused by this talisman in my hand, would you believe me?"
"Huh?" His two brothers' eyes widened, looking at Ron with disbelief.
Ron nodded with a half-smile: "Indeed, that's the truth."
It took a long time for his two brothers to digest this astonishing fact; they looked at the talismans in Ron's hand, their eyes filled with shock and curiosity.
Chapter 84 Weasley's Black Gold Shop
Ron explained in detail: "The Great Fireball Technique is more powerful than the Fireball Spell because it infuses a purer magical energy during the flame condensation process, making the flames it unleashes hotter and more violent."
"As for the Qi Shield Technique, it can withstand attacks like the Fireball Spell, but its true ability lies in its capacity to form a sturdy barrier by adjusting the flow of magical energy, defending against various forms of damage."
"And the Five Thunder Talisman, that's even more incredible. It can summon the power of lightning from heaven and earth, and a single strike is powerful enough to shake mountains. With this explanation, you should now understand the purpose and value of these talismans, right?"
Soon, the Weasley Twins understood the use of these talismans.
"So, how should we price these talismans?" Fred asked.
"Right, the key is how to price them so we can make a fortune!" George echoed immediately.
Ron smiled slightly, answering confidently:
"Well, I've already thought about it. For the Fireball Spell, we'll price it at 1 Galleon for two. The Qi Shield Technique will be 1 Galleon for one. The Great Fireball Technique will be priced at 5 Galleons for one. As for the Five Thunder Talisman, that will be even more expensive, priced at 5000 Galleons for one."
Upon hearing this, Fred's face showed a puzzled expression, and he asked, confused:
"Ron, I don't understand why there's such a difference in price between the Fireball Spell and the Qi Shield Technique when their power is clearly similar!"
George also chimed in: "Yeah, and the prices for the Great Fireball Technique and the Five Thunder Talisman are ridiculously high. Will anyone really be willing to buy them?"
Ron explained:
"No, no, no, listen to my analysis. The reason the Qi Shield Technique is priced higher than the Fireball Spell is because I predict the Fireball Spell will definitely become very popular in the future, a hot-selling item in the market. So, when the Fireball Spell becomes widespread, in order to defend against this powerful attack, customers will naturally seek an effective defensive measure, which is the Qi Shield Technique."
"Therefore, the number of people buying the Qi Shield Technique will also increase, and in this way, we can earn more profit by selling the Qi Shield Technique. Simply put, it's using the popularity of the Fireball Spell to drive the sales of the Qi Shield Technique, achieving a win-win situation. Do you understand my strategy?"
After saying all that, Ron leaned back in his wooden chair, a hint of confidence in his expression.
His pricing strategy had been carefully considered.
The Weasley Twins fell into deep thought after hearing Ron's explanation.
After a long while, Fred finally reacted, his eyes wide as he exclaimed:
"Ron, your scheme is too brilliant! I originally thought it was only natural for the Qi Shield Techniqueand the Fireball Spell to be the same price, but I didn't realize you had such deep considerations behind it!"
As he spoke, he gave a thumbs up, expressing his sincere admiration for Ron's cleverness.
George also couldn't help but burst out laughing, patting Ron on the shoulder and saying:
"Yeah, Ron, you're truly cunning! Because they'll have to defend against the Fireball Spell's attacks, customers will definitely scramble to buy the Qi Shield Technique, and in this way, we'll make a huge profit! Hahaha!"
"Ron, your pricing is indeed too high. The Fireball Spell for 1 Galleon for two, that price is a bit outrageous. You know, even a high-quality wand only costs about 7 Galleons. Compared to that, the price of the Fireball Spell seems a bit too high." Fred considered another issue.
George also agreed: "Yeah, how can we be sure customers will be willing to pay that price? What if they don't sell?"
"Because a storm is brewing! I'll leave that as a mystery for now, but if you go sell them, you'll definitely make money!" Ron said confidently.
In his mind, he already had clear ideas.
Soon, Dumbledore and Snape would establish the Duel Club, a future Ron had already foreseen.
Because the Round Table Knight he summoned would have a profound impact on this world.
These Round Table Knight were King Arthur's guards back then, and their power would bring new influences to this world.
As for whether people knew who summoned the Round Table Knight, Ron wasn't worried.
He knew that if Merlin wasn't anxious, why should he be?
When the power of the Round Table Knight began to affect the world, the Death Eaters hiding in the shadows would surely emerge to cause trouble.
They might attack the small wizards at the school, so improving the small wizards' response capabilities became especially important.
Establishing a Duel Club would be an excellent opportunity.
To win duels, buying talismans was definitely a good method!
A single glimpse can reveal the whole picture.
This was Ron's judgment!
After listening to Ron's narration, Fred and George were still somewhat confused. Fred frowned slightly, asking in puzzlement:
"Ron, what do you mean by 'a storm is brewing'? We don't understand."
However, seeing Ron's reluctance to say more, they didn't press further.
They understood Ron had his own plans, and since he wasn't willing to reveal too much, they didn't feel it was appropriate to ask more.
So, George raised another question:
"Ron, even if the Fireball Spell, Qi Shield Technique, and Great Fireball Technique can be sold successfully, what about the Five Thunder Talisman? Its price is as high as five thousand Galleons! That's simply unbelievable."
Ron chuckled, shaking his head and saying: "No, no, no, the Five Thunder Talisman isn't for selling, it's for display."
"Display? What does that mean?" Fred and George both felt very confused, looking at Ron in bewilderment.
Seeing the curious gazes of Fred and George, Ron had no choice but to patiently explain to his rather dim-witted older brothers.
He said confidently: "Every shop has its prized treasure, and the Five Thunder Talisman is our shop's prized treasure! When customers learn about the powerful effects of the other talismans, they will naturally become curious and eager about the Five Thunder Talisman. This way, the legendary value of the Five Thunder Talisman will become even more prominent through word-of-mouth."
Ron continued to add:
"In the future, we only need to subtly display the astonishing power of the Five Thunder Talisman at the appropriate time and reduce the price a bit, and I believe even more people will rush to buy it. After all, who wouldn't want to own such a legendary and powerful talisman?"
Fred and George suddenly understood after hearing this, and they couldn't help but exclaim: "Brilliant, brilliant! Ron, your pricing strategy is truly interconnected, it's admirable!"
They had never imagined that so much knowledge and wisdom could be hidden behind a simple pricing decision.
Then, they curiously asked: "So, what should we name our shop?"
Ron smiled slightly and said: "Let's call it Weasley's Black Gold Shop!"